The programme for Government deals with responsibility and accountability in the HSE. This is the third time I have raised an issue concerning protected disclosures. When a protected disclosure is made in the HSE, why is it that the HSE actually investigates its own? The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, and the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, have a copy of the protected disclosure in question. Everything is being done to discourage the individuals from disclosing what is happening in the system. They are being punished, their pension has been lost and they are not being paid. Why is it that there is no clarity, accountability or responsibility when somebody tries to tell the truth, goes through the right protocol but is punished? This protected disclosure is now being buried. I need to get answers because this individual is being punished for telling the truth.

I am not entirely sure as to what the Deputy is referring, making it difficult to respond. There are procedures within the Protected Disclosures Act which outline how they are managed. First, they are protected which means that the person making any allegation or disclosure cannot be identified, deliberately or inadvertently. Second, we are not allowed to be told about them because they are protected. It is a difficult one to answer. I am sorry.

It is a pity the Minister of State has not dealt with it.