Seanad debates

Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Whistleblower Legislation: Motion

 

6:00 am

Photo of Martin ConwayMartin Conway (Fine Gael)

I join colleagues in commending Senator Rónán Mullen for bringing forward this very important Private Members' motion. We lag way behind, unjustifiably so, in bringing forward whistleblower legislation. As was pointed out, such legislation has been in place in the United Kingdom since 1998. When one considers some of the scandals that have happened in this country in recent decades, their revelation required the bravery of individuals who were prepared to put their necks on the line. I think, in particular, of what Senator Susan O'Keeffe has done during the years and the great work done by journalists such as those involved in "Prime Time Investigates". It should not be necessary for individuals to go to journalists to have wrongs righted or exposed. There should be a mechanism within the State to protect those who decide to do the right thing.

There is never smoke without fire; the problem is that the smoke is invisible. There is, unfortunately, an Irish culture of "hear no evil, see no evil", whereby a certain minority who know a wrong is being done are not prepared to admit it is not right and should be corrected. Whistleblower legislation might help to change the culture of saying nothing and keeping to oneself information on wrong behaviour. We must look at what has been done by brave individuals during the years.

I am glad the new Government has included the introduction of whistleblower legislation as a priority item in the programme for Government. While there is an amendment to the motion, which I support, we are taking different roads to the one location. Senator Rónán Mullen can be reassured that the sentiments he has outlined echo those of the Government and Members of the House on all sides. I do not want to repeat what others have said but simply note that what has taken place during the years in various institutions such as the Garda Síochána and the HSE has been nothing short of a disgrace. Had we whistleblower legislation in place ten or 15 years ago, it would have made life much easier for many and, possibly, protected the lives of some of the most vulnerable in society.

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