The Protected Disclosures Amendment Bill 2021

The General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021 (the "Bill") was published during the summer in advance of the 17 December 2021 deadline for implementation of Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and of the Council (the "Whistleblowing Directive") into Irish law.

The legislation will further extend the scope and breadth of the protections afforded to individuals who make a protected disclosures in Ireland. Employers with an existing protected disclosures policy should examine their procedures to ensure compliance with the proposed changes. A wider list of employers will be within the scope of the new legislation and impacted employers should prepare a protected disclosure policy ahead of the legislation coming into force.