The Protected Disclosures Act 2014

The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (the “2014 Act”) came into force on 15 July 2014. Its purpose is to protect workers who wish to disclose information regarding any relevant wrongdoing that has come to their attention during the course of their work. This is known as a protected disclosure. The 2014 Act applies to current and former employees, independent contractors, trainees and agency staff.

A worker must have a reasonable belief that the information disclosed shows, or tends to show, wrongdoing. In the first instance, a worker should make a protected disclosure internally to their employer, if possible. However, this step is not obligatory.

The 2014 Act also allows a worker to make a protected disclosure to the Registrar of the PSI in respect of matters relating to the regulation of pharmacists and pharmacies in the State, including the PSI’s responsibility for supervising compliance with the Pharmacy Act 2007. Where a worker makes a disclosure externally to the Registrar of the PSI, there is a higher standard for the making of a disclosure than where the disclosure is made to the employer. The worker must reasonably believe that the information disclosed, or any allegation contained in it, is substantially true.

If you wish to make a protected disclosure to the Registrar of the PSI, the protected disclosure should:

  • Be in writing. If you are unable to make your disclosure in writing, please contact us for assistance.
  • Provide details of your name, position and/or role.
  • Contain information, including facts, which tend to show the wrongdoing and what occurred.
  • Include all relevant dates and all other relevant details.
  • Include the reasons for the concerns being raised. For further information, please consult the 2014 Act.

PSI Guide

Please note that we are currently updating PSI policies and procedures to reflect the updated legislative requirements related to the making of a protected disclosure. If you wish to discuss any matter in confidence, please contact PSI’s Protected Disclosure Officer by email to protecteddisclosure@psi.ie.

We report on the protected disclosures made to the PSI each year.