State ‘disposed’ to beefing up whistleblower laws

THE Government is “favourably disposed” to strengthening laws protecting whistleblowers, according to Justice Minister Dermot Ahern.

But the Labour Party said, despite promises, such laws have been put off for at least a decade because the Government is “afraid it might offend the powerful vested interests”.

Following remarks by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that people are afraid to expose wrongdoing in case they are victimised at work, Labour said the Government can no longer avoid legislation on the issue.