What is a Protected Disclosure?
A protected disclosure is defined in the 2014 Act as a disclosure of information which, in the reasonable belief of the worker, tends to show one or more relevant wrongdoings, which came to the attention of the worker in connection with the worker’s employment and is disclosed in the manner outlined in the 2014 Act. Making a protected disclosure is sometimes referred to as “whistleblowing”.
Scope
The Regulator of the National Lottery is prescribed by Statutory Instrument No 367 of 2020 – Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (Disclosure to Prescribed Persons) Order 2020 to receive protected disclosures under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (the “2014 Act”) from external workers that are not RNL workers.
How to make a protected disclosure to the Regulator of the National Lottery (RNL)
To make a protected disclosure to the RNL, a worker must reasonably believe that the information disclosed, and any allegations contained in it, are substantially true and that the relevant wrongdoing is related to compliance by the operator of the National Lottery with the National Lottery Act 2013 (No. 13 of 2013) and the terms and conditions of the licence granted to the operator.
The information must be disclosed in the manner outlined in the 2014 Act and the disclosure should contain the following:
- Name and contact details (anonymous disclosures are accepted and will be investigated insofar as possible).
- Request for confidentiality (if desired).
- A statement that the disclosure is being made under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
- Name of any organisation involved.
- A detailed description and as much information as possible relating to the alleged wrongdoing, including dates, if it is still ongoing, whether it has been disclosed previously and any evidence that would help in assessing the disclosure.
All disclosures received will be taken seriously and will be addressed appropriately.
Protected disclosures may be submitted to the ORNL at this address:
Confidential – Legal and Compliance Department ONLY
Regulator of the National Lottery
Block D
Irish Life Centre
Lower Abbey Street
Dublin 1
D01 W2H4
Tel: (01) 872 7932
Protected Disclosure Annual Reports
Section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 requires the publication of a report each year relating to the number of protected disclosures made in the preceding year and any actions taken in response to such disclosures. Protected Disclosure annual reports can be found here.
Regulator of the National Lottery Commitment
The RNL is committed to the highest possible standards of openness, probity, and accountability. The RNL has a duty to conduct its affairs with propriety and has put in place a wide range of procedures and codes of practice to deliver on its commitments and to deter malpractice, abuse and/or wrongdoing. The RNL expects disclosers who have bona fide concerns about such malpractice to come forward and voice those concerns, without fear of reprisal.