Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-17
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Gary Gannon (SD), Dublin Central

Again, I did not ask the Minister whether she was informed of the details of any protected disclosure. We know that section 41 of the Garda Síochána Act requires that the Commissioner inform the Minister for justice if there are incidents happening that have the potential to undermine public trust in the office. Public trust has been very clearly undermined by any number of issues captured in last night's RTÉ documentary. Those charged with looking after whistleblowers, taking on their files and investigating their claims had to become whistleblowers themselves and were then removed from the protected disclosures office. Does the Minister not believe that is an issue worthy of the former Commissioner, Drew Harris, informing her of as the office was changing over? Does she not feel such an issue was incorporated into that Act? Is she satisfied that the information she was given was enough? This goes to the heart of ministerial accountability and Ministers' role of informing Parliament. It is very clear that there was a gross failure and that people were being penalised. What exactly did Drew Harris inform the Minister of when he was making this change?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-17