Powers that be are turning their power against citizens

FIVE years ago, in my book, The House Always Wins, I said that a whistleblower’s charter would not be effective because the culture of the organisation being reported would crush the individual doing the reporting. Whistleblowing in this country is only for the brave, well-prepared and determined.

It is naive and foolish to believe that State institutions controlled by reactionary cultures, dominated by public-service mandarins — too many of whom are committed to the status quo — will not do everything in their power to ensure that legislation to protect whistleblowers ends up as toothless, useless and risible.

That legislation is before the Dáil. It does not impress me. Unless it is substantially revised, it will not be fit for purpose. ‘Whistleblower’ in the Irish consciousness is a level only slightly above the hated ‘informer’. The people I have met, who are worried about their organisations and have spoken out, are concerned citizens of this State, a State that I believe has little concern for any of its citizens.