Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Revenue Commissioners will always say a disgruntled ex-partner or ex-spouse is often their main source of information. Just because someone might have a beef with the person they are reporting does not mean what they are reporting is not true. It is better that the legislation does not rule a disclosure out of order because a whistleblower had a gripe. It will quickly emerge if a disclosure is vexatious with no substance. It is the validity of the complaint that matters, not who said what to whom and when. Let the facts speak for themselves. There are plenty of ruses a company can use to put a whistleblower down, such as suggesting that he or she take time off or get counselling. The legislation needs to ensure these are not allowed to prevent people from making legitimate complaints.

Section 17(2)(b) states, “if it is taxpayer information, it is made in accordance with section 10 to the Comptroller and Auditor General.” It is ironic that this is what the recent Garda whistleblower did. The Minister was correct all along on this provision.

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