Whistleblowing in Ireland: Protected Disclosures Guide for Employees
Ireland has strong legal protections for employees who report wrongdoing in the workplace. Under the Protected Disclosures Acts 2014–2022, workers who make a qualifying disclosure are protected from penalisation by their employer.
What Is a Protected Disclosure?
A protected disclosure is a report made by a worker of relevant information about wrongdoing they became aware of in the course of their employment. The relevant wrongdoing can include criminal offences, failure to comply with legal obligations, miscarriages of justice, endangerment of health and safety, damage to the environment, and misuse of public funds.
Who Is Protected?
The Protected Disclosures Acts cover workers broadly — not just employees. This includes contractors, agency workers, trainees, volunteers, shareholders, and former employees.
What Is Penalisation?
Penalisation includes dismissal, demotion, reduction of pay or hours, coercion, intimidation, harassment, or any other act that adversely affects the worker. Even a threat of penalisation is prohibited.
What Remedies Are Available?
A penalised whistleblower can bring a claim to the WRC for interim relief and compensation of up to five years’ remuneration. There is a presumption of penalisation if the worker makes a disclosure and subsequently suffers a detriment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be dismissed for whistleblowing in Ireland?
Dismissal for making a protected disclosure is automatically unfair under Irish employment law, regardless of your length of service. You can apply for interim relief to the WRC within 21 days of dismissal.
Does the disclosure have to be proven true?
No — you are protected if you reasonably believed the information disclosed and the alleged wrongdoing at the time you made the disclosure. You do not need to prove the wrongdoing actually occurred.
What changed under the 2022 Protected Disclosures Amendment Act?
The 2022 Act extended coverage to more categories of worker, introduced mandatory internal reporting channels for employers with 50+ employees, created the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner, and increased maximum compensation.
This article is for informational purposes only. Consult a solicitor of your choice. if you need advice on making a protected disclosure.
