Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: From the Seanad
Dail Éireann — 2022-07-13
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Bríd Smith (PBP), Dublin South-Central

I will read briefly from an email I received from a whisteblower.
We are disappointed to report that the Protected Disclosure Amendment Bill 2022, as currently proposed by Minister McGrath ..., is deficient and defunct.
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Legal Advice recently informed that this framework is inappropriate and not suitable for the intended purpose.
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The Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill fails to deliver an effective remedy as provided under Article 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Unfortunately, Ireland has a recognised history in this behaviour.
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The Protected Disclosure Amendment Bill 2022 is not fit for purpose.
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It will not supplant the Framework Document for the investigation of Protected Disclosures and Penalisation, despite legal opinion that this framework is inappropriate and not fit for purpose.
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It will not hold those who penalise to account.
It will discriminate [against] those who have previously raised concerns, which is a breach of our constitutional rights.
I would like the Minister to comment on that. These people were very disappointed to see this legislation rushed through in this manner. It is too important. It has become the hallmark of this Government to take legislation at the last minute, change it and push it through in this very unsatisfactory manner.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2022-07-13/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:50:59+00:00
Sitting date: 2022-07-13