Whistleblowers to get free legal aid, say campaigners

The State has agreed in principle to fund a new, free legal advice centre for whistleblowers, according to the anti-corruption campaign group Transparency International Ireland (TII).

TII has held a series of meetings with senior officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) in recent months, after it sought up to €300,000 to help fund the initiative.

TII has on at least three occasions recently met with William Beausang, assistant secretary of the department, to discuss funding for the plan for a free advice centre, according to the new State lobbying register.

John Devitt, chief executive of TII, said a deal with the department had "not yet been signed" but that agreement in principle had been reached for support.

Registered

The proposed new centre, which whistleblowers will be able to contact for free legal advice on their rights under the new disclosure regime, has been registered with the Law Society and as a charity with the Revenue Commissioners.

“We hope to be able to make a formal announcement soon,” said Mr Devitt.

The service, which will run in parallel with an existing general assistance helpline in operation since 2011, will be staffed by qualified solicitors.

It will be managed by TII’s in-house legal representative, while some of the proposed funding will be used to hire additional solicitors.

System

Mr Devitt said the free advice scheme would not provide formal litigation representation for whistleblowers who made disclosures under legal protection, but it would advise them on their rights and how to negotiate the system.

TII is also planning a new initiative for employers, unions and regulators to promote a safe environment for whistleblowers within workplaces.

It plans to assemble a forum of various employer and other representative bodies, with the aim of putting on a major conference on the issue later in the year, subject to funding.

“We are finalising the details currently, but we hope to announce something in the next couple of months. We need to put in place funding for the conference,” said Mr Devitt.