Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The whole purpose of this legislation from the start was to have overarching legislation that captures everybody, both public and private, without distinction. All the banks will be covered by this legislation, whether their majority shareholding is in State hands or in private hands. There will be no distinction between the capacity of a whistleblower in Bank of Ireland, AIB or in any other institution who will be able to make such a disclosure. On the points made about the Central Bank, the Central Bank will also be captured by this legislation. The Bill will supersede the requirements set out in the Central Bank legislation. We sought advice on any necessity to repeal any element of the Central Bank Act. This legislation will simply supersede it and provide the protection to workers in the Central Bank and any other agency to whistleblow and have the protections set out for redress.