What is Evidencia - Centralized Whistleblowing & Case Management platform?

La solution SaaS centralisée pour la gestion des cas d'investigation, le lancement d'alertes et la conformité.

Does Ireland have an older tradition of whistleblower protection?

Yes. Ireland adopted the Protected Disclosures Act as early as 2014, well before the 2019 European Directive. This pioneering legislation has protected many whistleblowers in healthcare, finance, and the public sector.

What is the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)?

The WRC is the Irish labour tribunal competent to adjudicate retaliation complaints. It can order reinstatement, compensation, and corrective measures. It is the main avenue for whistleblowers who have suffered retaliation.

Can the OPDC conduct investigations?

Yes. The OPDC can refer reports to sectoral authorities but can also conduct or commission investigations in certain cases. It has broader investigative powers than some counterpart authorities.

Do reports cover violations of Irish law or only EU law?

Both. Irish law covers violations of EU law (as required by the Directive) but also a wide range of Irish law violations, including tax, financial, health and safety legislation.

Is Evidencia available for Irish companies?

Yes. Evidencia supports English and meets the specific requirements of the Protected Disclosures Act: processing deadlines, confidentiality, full traceability, and anonymous or named reporting options.

Whistleblower Regulation in Ireland

Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 - Obligations and Compliance

Ireland has a long tradition of whistleblower protection dating back to the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. The 2022 amendment transposes the EU Directive and significantly strengthens the existing regime.

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Regulation Overview

The Irish legal framework

Law name

Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022

Reference

Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 (No. 27 of 2022)

In force since

1 January 2023

Application threshold

50+ employees (mandatory internal channel)

Competent authority

Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner (OPDC)

Penalties

Fines potentially exceeding €250,000; civil liability for proven retaliation

Who Must Comply?

Scope of application

All private sector entities employing at least 50 employees, as well as all public sector entities. Ireland's scope is one of the widest in Europe, covering violations of Irish law as well.

Required Reporting Channels

Practical obligations

Internal channel

Mandatory from 50 employees. Must be accessible, confidential, and process reports within legal deadlines. The company must designate a responsible person or department.

External channel - OPDC

The Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner (OPDC) is the national external reporting authority, created in 2023. It receives multi-domain reports and can trigger investigations.

Whistleblower Protections

A historically strong protection regime

Protection against retaliation since 2014, strengthened in 2022

Confidentiality of the whistleblower's identity and persons mentioned

Civil and criminal immunity for good-faith disclosures

Reversal of burden of proof in favour of the whistleblower

Right to punitive damages in case of proven retaliation

Extended protection to subcontractors, interns, and former employees

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Civil and criminal liability

In Ireland, sanctions for retaliation include civil liability that can include significant punitive damages. Irish employment tribunals (Workplace Relations Commission) have awarded record compensation in whistleblower cases.