Howlin rejects SF claim he tried to frustrate PAC’s work

Brendan Howlin, the public expenditure minister, has been accused of a “calculated attempt” to “frustrate” the work of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee and undermining attempts by whistleblowers to raise concerns.

The charge was made by Sinn Féin TD Mary Lou McDonald, who said there was a “grave irony” in the minister’s presentation of legislation to protect whistleblowers, while at the same time being part of the Government’s attempt to prevent a garda to raise concerns before the committee.

She was speaking during a debate on the Protected Disclosures Bill, which prevents any action being taken against whistleblowers.