New law to compensate sacked whistleblowers
New laws taking effect today offer up to five years' remuneration for whistleblowers if they are unfairly dismissed from their job.
The legislation offers coverage to all employees, contractors, agency workers, gardaí and Defence Forces personnel who want to make disclosures about their employer.
There is also scope for the protection of any disclosure made before the laws take effect.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin says today's Bill sets a new standard of international best practice for protecting whistleblowers.
Under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, whistleblowers will be entitled to strong protections against their identity being revealed.
They will have access to the State's industrial relations machinery for securing redress against penalisation.
Whistleblowers who are unfairly dismissed can claim up to five years' remuneration.
The Bill also removes any good faith or public interest test, which could otherwise act as a deterrent to would-be whistleblowers.
