Protected disclosures
Protected disclosures, in plain words.
The Irish whistleblowing law: workers who report wrongdoing are protected, and employers give them a safe way to report it. Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended in 2022. In force since 2014. The 2022 amendments, which bring in the EU Whistleblowing Directive, Directive (EU) 2019/1937, apply from 1 January 2023.
Who it covers
Every public body, and every private employer with 50 or more employees. Some regulated firms are covered whatever their size.
What it asks
Internal channels
Secure, confidential channels for staff to report wrongdoing, with a designated impartial person to follow up.
Acknowledge in 7 days
Acknowledge each report in writing no more than 7 days after it is received (section 6A).
Feedback in 3 months
Follow it up diligently, and give feedback no more than 3 months from the acknowledgement (section 6A).
Confidential and protected
Keep the reporter's identity confidential (section 16), and penalise nobody for reporting (section 12).
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Public bodies
Publish an annual report on the disclosures received (section 22).
Offences
Penalising a reporter, breaching confidentiality and failing to set up channels.
The official text
Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 on the Irish Statute Book: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/act/27/enacted/en/html
What Eurus keeps
Eurus's law register holds one duty from this law, each with what it asks, who it binds, what shows it, and the date it was read against the official text.
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