Using statutory guidance and codes of practice to build on whistleblowing legislation: the Irish experience

In our opinion, the use of Guidance regarding whistleblower protection represents best international practice with regard to protected disclosures. It is devised on the premise that a one-size-fits-all approach is not appropriate given the different nature and scope of public sector bodies. In the authors’ opinion, the Irish experience demonstrates how statutory guidance and Codes of Practice can be valuable methods of explaining how the law is intended to operate as well as encouraging best practice which goes beyond the minimum statutory floor of rights.