New statutory guidance for public bodies and private sector under reformed law
Government departments are moving to bolster internal reporting channels as part of efforts to encourage civil servants to speak up against institutional wrongdoing.
A number of departments have started to appoint senior officials who will be tasked with promoting a “speak up” culture within Ireland’s civil service, increasing transparency, and informing staff about how disclosures can be made.
It comes after a number of high-profile protected disclosures in Ireland over recent years and calls for a change in legislation to strengthen protection for whistleblowers.
Paschal Donohoe, the minister for public expenditure and reform, recently issued new statutory guidance for public bodies and the private sector following last year’s reforms to the Protected Disclosures Act.
As part of these reforms, public bodies have been tasked with improving internal reporting channels with a number of government departments confirming to the Business Post that efforts are now underway in this regard.
A spokesman for the department of public expenditure and reform said that John Kinnane, acting assistant secretary of the expenditure policy unit, was recently appointed to “champion” the protected disclosures process internally by raising awareness about the new legislation and reporting channels available to departmental staff.
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