Parties demand whistleblowers’ law

FINE Gael and Labour will this week combine forces to pressurise the Government on whistleblowers’ legislation that has been stalled for almost seven years.

The Whistleblowers Protection Bill - which was introduced as a private members bill by Labour leader Pat Rabbitte and has direct relevance to the case of disgraced Drogheda obstetrician Michael Neary - passed the second stage in the Dáil last June, but has failed progress further.

The bill aims to provide protection from civil liability to employees who make certain disclosures “reasonably and in good faith” in relation to the conduct of the business and affairs of their employers.