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TI Ireland Statement on Sunday Independent 'Whistleblower' article

Dublin - 22 April 2012



Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has said the revelations published by the Sunday Independent today will help focus attention on the need for wide-reaching reform of the systems that allowed our economy to collapse. The reports of how repeated advice from a civil servant on the risk of over-heating in the economy was dismissed, should not only help shine a light on events leading to the financial crisis, but also inform new legislation aimed at preventing the same thing happening again.

'The case highlights the need to fully investigate how policy is made and to publish whatever evidence is used by officials in reaching decisions of public importance. We would hope that any public inquiry would be announced soon and that it be given all the powers it needs', TI Ireland's Chief Executive John Devitt said.  'Any new whistleblower legislation should also allow a public servant to draw attention to official negligence to a member of the Oireachtas, if those concerns are first ignored by his or her colleagues', he added.

TI Ireland operates the country's only free helpline called 'Speak Up' which offers support and information to whistleblowers and their employers.  Callers can contact the Speak Up helpline at 1800 844 866 or log on to www.speakup.ie for more information.