Whistleblower told covid inquiry will not take on board protected disclosures

Officials overseeing the forthcoming covid inquiry informed whistleblower Shane Corrt hat it is 'not seeking to replace or supersede alternative processes'. Picture: RTÉ Investigates/RTÉ

Ireland’s pending covid inquiry has been accused of an “extraordinary” lapse before it has even begun after it emerged it will not accept submissions from whistleblowers.

The inquiry, which is expected to gather testimony and relevant documents for at least the next 18 months, has said that given its status as a “non-statutory entity”, it will not be incorporating protected disclosures into its workflow.

In correspondence with whistleblower Shane Corr, officials overseeing the inquiry said it is “not seeking to replace or supersede alternative processes”.

Instead, it will seek to deliver a “future-focused, lessons-learned approach” using people’s lived experiences.

The inquiry has faced a deal of criticism for its perceived toothlessness in terms of evaluating potential gaps in accountability concerning how the covid pandemic was handled.

Last May, the inquiry panel revealed that it will, for the most part, be conducted behind closed doors.

It will not have the power to compel witnesses to attend.

The transcripts of any interviews will not be made available, and no blame will be apportioned.

Mr Corr, an auditor within the Department of Health’s finance unit who became a public figure from 2022 after making a series of damaging disclosures regarding financial management and accountability within the health service, wrote to the inquiry’s chair, Anne Scott, last month claiming that the perceived culture of silence within his department is “what you and your evaluation team is up against”.

Mr Corr was previously subject to an extended disciplinary process within the department on foot of his recording of departmental meetings without the knowledge of the officials present, following which he was eventually exonerated.

He has been suspended on full pay ever since.

In his letter to Ms Scott, Mr Corr said that he had “recorded hundreds of internal and external meetings” while working in the department, including the monthly meetings of the health budget oversight group.

“Most aspects of the pandemic response were addressed at these meetings," he wrote to Ms Scott.  

However, the full minutes of the meetings were never released to the public. I doubt that they will be released to you.

He said that he has “incontrovertible evidence” of shortcomings regarding the State’s covid response.

Addressing Ms Scott directly, Mr Corr said he finds himself “utterly perplexed as to why you have accepted this role”.

“You must know that this inquiry will be viewed by many as a whitewash and, in any event, there are no assurances that the Taoiseach will publish your report or implement any of its recommendations,” he said.

In response, an evaluation official told Mr Corr that — while not accepting protected disclosures — the inquiry will “draw on publicly available information, research and reports, direct requests for information, surveys, submissions, meetings with decision-makers, meetings and discussions with stakeholder organisations, and experts, and workshops”.

“We would like to assure you that the chair and evaluation panel is independent, and its approach will be objective, grounded in fairness, and will act with the utmost integrity,” the official said.

“Its purpose is not to defend or criticise individuals, but to understand and improve by establishing lessons learned from the pandemic experience.”