Transparency

Department considers ‘whistleblowing champion’ ahead of new disclosures law

Senior-level official ‘to promote speak-up culture’ within Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Michael McGrath, the outgoing Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, and Paschal Donohoe, the incoming minister. Picture: RollingNews.ie

A high-ranking official could be appointed as a “whistleblowing champion” by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to encourage civil servants to speak out against internal wrongdoing as part of new legislation coming into effect from January.

Ahead of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act commencing in early 2023, which expands the scope of earlier legislation to include protection for volunteers, board members and job applicants for the first time, all public bodies in Ireland ...