I welcome the whistleblowers to the Gallery. They have done an incredible service to the State. I thank them personally for that. I also thank the Independent Technical Group for bringing forward this motion. It has brought to the State the corruption that has happened within our political and justice systems and opened the door to justice for the victims of abuse. In return, far too many whistleblowers and others have seen their lives ruined. The question the Government must answer is whether this is by intention or design. Even if it is unintentional, the whistleblower framework the Government has overseen should be made fit for purpose because whistleblowers today continue to face the consequences of doing the right thing. They face smear campaigns. They have lost their homes and livelihoods, all while the Government has failed to protect them. It will waste taxpayers' money. It needs to help the people. Sinn Féin holds whistleblowers in the highest regard. We recognise the positive role many have played in bringing the truth to light. I commend my party colleagues, Sinn Féin spokesperson on public expenditure and reform, Deputy Farrell, and Deputy Buckley, who tried to bring this motion to the Dáil previously. The legislation it proposes would move the onus from the employee to the employer in cases where the employee alleges penalisation as a result of making a protected disclosure. It will also make it an offence to attempt to hinder or penalise people who make a protected disclosure. This is crucial. It is long past time that smears ended. The Taoiseach does not believe he or his Ministers should be across a protected disclosure made regarding their Departments. In some instances, potentially-----

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-----leaving officials subject to potential disclosures responsible for dealing with them.

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In his new role, perhaps the Minister of State will see fit to support this motion and protect whistleblowers.

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