The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 is a significant framework enacted in Ireland to promote whistleblowing by offering robust protections for workers reporting wrongdoing in their work environments. This legislation encompasses a diverse range of individuals, such as employees, contractors, and trainees, and broadly defines 'relevant wrongdoing' to include criminal acts, breaches of legal duty, threats to health and safety, and misuse of public funds. The Act facilitates reporting through multiple channels—internally to employers, externally to regulatory bodies, or publicly under specific conditions—ensuring that whistleblowers are shielded from retaliation.

Employers are expressly prohibited from taking punitive actions against whistleblowers, including dismissal and harassment. Should retaliation occur, affected individuals are empowered to seek redress via the Workplace Relations Commission or the courts, where compensation for unjust dismissal can be significant. The Act further enforces strong confidentiality measures to protect disclosers’ identities, mandating public bodies to implement formal procedures for managing disclosures effectively.