Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Prior to the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 coming into operation, whistleblowing was provided for under the confidential reporting scheme. Each confidential recipient was required to transmit each confidential report to the Garda Commissioner. Only where a confidential report contained an allegation which related to the Garda Commissioner was it transmitted to the Minister. Obviously there were many safeguards in place, as the Deputy knows.

We now have the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. Protection for whistleblowers rightly prioritises the confidentiality of the system and the protection of the whistleblower, which is central to the efficacy of the entire process. I am satisfied that the legislative provisions now in place under the 2014 Act, including the protections afforded for whistleblowers, will prove to be an effective remedy for Garda members who wish to report their concerns regarding alleged wrongdoing.

I would be very concerned if I felt that the whistleblowers who are having their complaints investigated by An Garda Síochána were not being dealt with in the context of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. It was brought in to ensure proper treatment of whistleblowers. The Deputy will have heard the Garda Commissioner and other members of An Garda Síochána talk about encouraging whistleblowers to come forward, confirming that they will be dealt with properly and their complaints will be assessed in keeping with the legislation as it stands.

That clearly is the intention and if there is information to the contrary, I want to know about it.

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