Ms Orla Keane:

If the office is being established, it provides an opportunity to review the key functions the office could do. For example, the new service the commission is setting up is the DSS. One of its functions as set out in the legislation is to provide information and to add to the code of practice. Additional functions could be added into the Bill to specify that it is a function of this office to provide information by whatever means and to specify the extent to which it provides information. It could also clearly set out that one of the functions of this office is to produce codes of practice. As we said in our submission, we welcome this new office but we also think it is a prime opportunity to expand the role. As this office is just being set up, let us take the opportunity now to set out what functions it can be given.

I also spoke about providing supports. I understand that has financial implications. I also referred to the cost-benefit analysis report that was done in Europe. This is an opportunity from the outset to set out all the functions this office could do to provide supports to both sides, as Deputy Durkan mentioned, to both the employee and the employer, the person making the protected disclosure and the person who is handling the protected disclosure. All those functions could be added to that office.