John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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881. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an independent investigation into penalisation arising from a protected disclosure submitted relative to the Irish Prison Service; the date the investigation commenced; if an interim or final report has been submitted to her Department; if the complaint regarding penalisation in respect of this person had been investigated on two occasions prior to the commencement of the independent investigation and if so, the actions that were taken arising from the investigations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55298/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, 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.

The Irish Prison Service cannot comment on any investigation so as to ensure the protection of all parties.  The Irish Prison Service is part of the integrity at work programme with Transparency International Ireland and aims to ensure all workers are afforded the appropriate protections as provided for under the Act when making disclosures.