Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2026
125. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has been provided with any knowledge by An Garda Siochana or his Department that information concerning protected disclosures were withheld from Tánaiste Simon Harris in 2023, when he was required to caretake the role of Minister for Justice during the second maternity leave of then Minister for Justice Ms. Helen McEntee. [69140/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra126. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration were any protected disclosures directed for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding An Garda Siochana withheld from him or his predecessor. [69141/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.
The Protected Disclosures Acts 2014 and 2022 were put in place to support and protect people with concerns about actions or omissions in their workplace to speak up, confidentially and safely.
There are robust structures, policies and procedures in place across the criminal justice sector to ensure the effective management of protected disclosures and to provide support to people who make disclosures.
My Department complies with the Statutory Guidance for Public Bodies and Prescribed Persons in relation to these Acts, which was published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in 2023.
Protected disclosures made to the Minister are dealt with in accordance with section 8(3)(a) of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended. Section 8(3)(a) states that 'The relevant Minister shall, without having considered the report or the information or any allegation contained therein, as soon as practicable but in any case not later than 10 days after receipt of a report, transmit the report to the Commissioner.
The Commissioner referred to is the Protected Disclosures Commissioner.
The Department works at all times to ensure that protected disclosures are dealt with appropriately and in accordance with the law.
I am not aware of any information concerning protected disclosures being withheld from Ministers. However, if the Deputy has any specific concerns in this regard, he should bring them to my notice.
