Information from whistleblowers should not be kept from the media, says Michael Clifford

Michael Clifford cited remarks from Judge Peter Charleton about whistleblower leaks to the media made after matters relating to Garda Whistleblower Maurice McCabe (pictured) were leaked to the media. File photo: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Any move to stop protected disclosures from whistleblowers being leaked to politicians or journalists would be “a retrograde" step, the Oireachtas Finance Committee has been told.

Appearing as a witness before the committee, Irish Examiner special correspondent Michael Clifford, cited comments from Supreme Court Judge Peter Charleton, who headed the Disclosures Tribunal, that the Oireachtas should examine the matter.