Whistleblowers motion to be debated at garda conference

A motion on better protections for whistleblowers will be debated at the annual conference of middle ranking gardaí today.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors began their three-day meeting yesterday in Killarney in Co Kerry.

The AGSI wants the Garda confidential reporting charter reviewed and revised to safeguard whistleblowers in the force.

Interim Garda Commissioner Noirín O'Sullivan will address the delegates at the conference this afternoon.

Sergeant Jim Collins from Letterkenny garda station is proposing the motion on whistleblowers. He said: "We're concerned about a perception about whistleblowers (or confidental reporters) as they have become known.

"We believe if we have a more robust policy, there will be more confidence and it will be more likely for people to report issues that they feel needs reporting."