Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-17
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Helen McEntee (FG), Meath East

That is exactly what he has suggested. I have adhered to the legislation at all times. At all times, I ensured that I everything I did in the Department was to ensure accountability and oversight, even at times when that did not make me popular, which happened quite a lot. How did we make sure there were better structures in place? It was by introducing new legislation, putting in place better oversight mechanisms within the board of An Garda Síochána, making sure the audit committee had oversight of what happened on protected disclosures and introducing Fiosrú so that we would have better protection for those who brought forward protected disclosures. We also amended the 2014 legislation introduced by Deputy Kelly's former party leader. All of this was to make sure that, where people brought forward protected disclosures, procedures were adhered to and that those people were protected, encouraged to come forward and supported, where possible.
I cannot be any clearer in saying that I have always adhered to the rules and the regulations as set out to me. I have always acted in accordance with the law. When it comes to protected disclosures and matters relating to such disclosures that are still before the courts or a tribunal or inquiry, the Deputy will know that this is not something that any of us can talk about. The Taoiseach was very clear about that yesterday. I have repeated that many times this morning. As I have already said, we have an opportunity to review the legislation. There is a legal requirement in the Act to ensure that a review will start by July of next year. I am informed by the Department of public expenditure and reform that this review will start by the end of this year. There is an onus on all stakeholders to participate in that.

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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