Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
767. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health the person or body that authorised the transmission of sensitive patient safety video material to the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner on 22 May 2026 (details supplied); if the material was viewed before transmission; if she personally considered the governance issues raised before that transmission; and if not, her reasoning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47382/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health received correspondence which indicated that it related to matters arising from a protected disclosure and therefore appeared to fall within the protected disclosure framework.
Accordingly, the material was transmitted, on an administrative basis by officials of the Department, to the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner under section 8 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended. The Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner operates independently in the handling and follow-up of matters referred to it.
The transmission was undertaken in line with established procedures for the handling of correspondence of this nature. In this context, the Department does not assess the substantive merits of the information in advance of referral.
The material in question was not viewed by the Department prior to its transmission. In line with the principles underpinning the Protected Disclosures framework, which place a strong emphasis on confidentiality and the protection of identity, access to material of this nature is limited to the minimum necessary for administrative handling.
As the matter was handled in accordance with these procedures, it was not the subject of personal consideration by the Minister.
