Protected disclosures and whistleblowers
McGuinness pressed for early passage of the Protected Disclosures Bill and protection for Garda, FÁS and other whistleblowers. The Taoiseach said the Bill awaited Second Stage and should not be unduly delayed, while the Chair repeatedly ruled the wider case out of order.
Will he deal with the investigation that has been requested?
The Seanad has passed the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013. Will the Taoiseach ensure that Bill comes before this House as quickly as possible? As I asked him previously, will he ensure the spirit of this legislation is applied in the case of the Garda whistleblowers and the FÁS whistleblower who is being treated very badly by that organisation?
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It is necessary for the Government to step in and give some direction-----
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-----so that the spirit of the legislation can at least be acknowledged and that those people can go about their duties in a reasonable fashion while investigations are being carried out.
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That case brought in the north east has dragged on for quite some time.
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I do not bother you too much, a Cheann Comhairle.
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I take grave exception. The Deputy totally disregards the Chair. He knows well it is not in order.
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It is a matter for the Order of Business.
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On the Deputy's question on legislation, the first thing to note is that the Protected Disclosures Bill has gone through the Seanad and is now awaiting Second Stage here. Clearly it is a matter for the Whips to divide the time on this. I do not expect that should be unduly delayed for any reason.
I do not have the details of the comments of a member of the Judiciary from the court case the Deputy mentioned. I am sure the Minister concerned will follow through on what that means.