Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to include the person that highlighted the issue and documentary evidence they possess to assist the investigation in order to advance it in respect of the independent investigation of the catering and ancillary services within the Irish Prison Service with specific reference to the operation of voluntary mess committees. [23371/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities.

The Act also affords very important protections to persons making protected disclosures. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate therefore that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on, nor confirm the existence of any specific protected disclosure. The protection of those wishing to make a protected disclosure rightly prioritises the confidentiality of the process, which is central to the efficacy of that process.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress made to date in respect of the independent investigation of the catering and ancillary services within the Irish Prison Service with specific reference to the operation of voluntary mess committees; the date on which it commenced; the number of persons it has interviewed; the intended date on which it will report; and if she has been supplied with interim reports. [23372/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I am informed that the independent review to which the Deputy refers relates to the operation of the Voluntary Mess Committees in the Prisons and that terms of reference have been drafted and an independent company is in the process of being appointed to carry out the review.

Once commenced, the review is expected to take between four and six months to complete.