Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the thirty-third amendment of the Constitution, the Government in its programme for Government has committed to holding a referendum to protect the right of citizens to communicate in confidence with public representatives. Given that it claims to be protecting the rights of citizens, on the one hand, it is somewhat ironic that it is proposing this amendment as it blatantly misuses private information on citizens and Members of this House supplied to it by the Garda. When will the legislation dealing with this objective of the programme for Government to protect the right of citizens to communicate in confidence with public representatives be published? I do not believe one could have too much confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality if one wanted to communicate with him.

The protected disclosure in the public interest Bill is meant to provide protection against reprisals and victimisation, as well as redress, for workers who disclose information on serious wrongdoing in their workplace. This is another topical issue because it seems anyone who attempted to provide any information or raise any issue on fixed ticket charges became the target and focus of various activities. When is it expected to publish this Bill?

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