Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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193. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 331 of 3 November 2015, regarding a case (details supplied), if he has been informed of the case and the wrongdoing involved; the specific actions or measures that he, in his capacity of having oversight of the Central Bank of Ireland, has taken to protect the whistleblower, and to ensure that this kind of wrongdoing ceases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39523/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I, in my capacity as Minister for Finance, have no role in relation to the case to which the Deputy refers.  The Central Bank of Ireland's obligations in relation to protected disclosures are set out in the relevant legislation and under that legislation, the Central Bank does not report to the Minister for Finance on these matters. 

As required under section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Central Bank published its 2015 Report on Protected Disclosures.  This Report stated the Central Bank had received one such protected disclosure in between 1 July 2014 and 30th June 2015. The report notes that "matters reported under the disclosure were investigated thoroughly by an independent party in line with Central Bank policy." 

Protections for those making a protected disclosure are provided for in Part 3 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.  I received correspondence in relation to this protected disclosure and I understand that the appropriate authorities are involved. 

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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194. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the nature of the one case of protected disclosure which the Central Bank of Ireland reported it had received during the period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015. [39524/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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On 30 June 2015 the Central Bank published a report on its website relating to the number of protected disclosures made to it and action taken in response for the period between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015. This is in line with the duties of public bodies under Section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.

That report noted the Central Bank had received one protected disclosure in the relevant time period, which was investigated thoroughly by an independent party, with the outcome communicated to the persons concerned.

It would not be appropriate for me to clarify the nature of the protected disclosure in question, particularly given section 22 requires that the report does not enable the identification of the persons involved.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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195. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 331 of 3 November 2015, his views on the allegations made under protected disclosure that auditors are, or have been, requested to delete significant findings from an internal audit report on the governance of the Central Bank of Ireland; his further views that these are serious concerns, and raise further concerns on the transparency and accountability of the Central Bank of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39525/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Under Section 21 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, all public bodies must establish and maintain procedures for the making of protected disclosures by workers who are or were employed by the public body and for dealing with such disclosures. The Central Bank of Ireland is one such public body, and its internal procedures in this area contribute towards its good governance and accountability. 

In relation to the matter of transparency, section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act requires the Bank to publish a report on the protected disclosures made and any action taken in response, which does not enable the identification of the persons involved.  I view this requirement as striking a balance between transparency and the protection of those making a protected disclosure.

In relation to the case raised by the Deputy, the Central Bank published such a report on its website, which stated the Central Bank had received one such protected disclosure in between 1 July 2014 and the publication date. The report notes that "matters reported under the disclosure were investigated thoroughly by an independent party in line with Central Bank policy."  Given this issue was considered by both the Central Bank and an independent party, I am satisfied that the matter has been thoroughly investigated.