What is a Protected Disclosure?
Making a protected disclosure occurs when a worker raises a concern or discloses information which relates to wrongdoing, illegal practices or unethical conduct which has come to his/her attention through work. A protected disclosure is defined as:
“a disclosure of information which, in the reasonable belief of the worker, tends to show one or more relevant wrongdoings; came to the attention of the worker in a work-related context; and is disclosed in the manner prescribed under the Act” (Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended).
The Protected Disclosures Act 2014, amended by the Protected Disclosures Act 2022 (the Protected Disclosures Acts), enables workers to raise a concern regarding potential wrongdoing in the workplace by ensuring that safeguards exist should reprisals be taken against them. The VCI has in place procedures for managing disclosures made through both internal and external reporting channels.
External Reporting Channels and Procedures
We have developed a Protected Disclosures Policy (External Channel) for dealing with protected disclosures received by the Registrar/Chief Officer of the VCI, as a prescribed person listed in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (Disclosure to Prescribed Persons) Order 2020. This statutory instrument prescribes the Registrar as a recipient of protected disclosures regarding all matters relating to the regulation and management by the Veterinary Council of Ireland of the practice of veterinary medicine and nursing.
A disclosure made to the Registrar, as a prescribed person, is a protected disclosure if the following conditions are met:
- You reasonably believe that the relevant wrongdoing is within the remit of the Registrar as they have regulatory functions within the area, which are the subject of the allegations.
- The information you disclose and any allegation in it came to your attention in connection with your employment, which is outside the VCI and the allegations are substantially true (this is a higher standard than is required for disclosure directly to your employer).
Our Protected Disclosure Policy (External Channel) provides further information on how to make a protected disclosure. In the first instance the reporting person should contact the VCI’s Protected Disclosure Officer:
| Protected Disclosure Officer (External Channel) | Ms Niamh Muldoon
01 668 4402 |
Internal Reporting Channels and Procedures
If the VCI is your employer (within the meaning of the Act) and you fall under the definition of a worker whereby you are a current or former employee, a volunteer, an independent contractor, a trainee or a job candidate, then you can make a protected disclosure about the VCI via the internal reporting channel. Our Protected Disclosure Policy (Internal Channel) provides further information on how to make a protected disclosure. In the first instance the reporting person should contact the VCI’s Protected Disclosure Officer:
| Protected Disclosure Officer (Internal Channel) | Ms Aideen Neylon
01 668 4402 |