Source: Protected Disclosures Commissioner publishes first annual report (opdc.ie)
The Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioners (OPDC) – the new public body established under Ireland’s Protected Disclosures Act – has published its first annual report which looks at the number, types, and key themes of reports received during the Commissioner’s first year in office.
The Commissioner received 283 reports of alleged wrongdoing in 2023. 111 were transmitted to prescribed persons – that is one of the 108 authorities designated to handle external reports based on the nature of the wrongdoing and the bodies remit – and 166 to other suitable persons. This aligns with what was foreseen to be the main role of the Office. Only 14 were dealt with by the ODPC themselves – a power the Commissioner has been granted only where no other suitable person can be identified. Notably, the top three sectors from which reports were received were education, aviation, and defence.
The OPDC has already uncovered gaps in regulation in certain sectors, particularly in healthcare, meaning that wrongdoing may not be properly addressed in those areas. The report has also garnered media attention regarding the role of the Commissioner and an apparent disagreement over responsibilities for wrongdoing in local government.
Furthermore, the Commissioner has received reports indicating that some public bodies lack appropriate protected disclosure channels, prompting steps to address this issue.