The "Speak Up" Helpline was launched on Thursday the 24th of May 2011 at the Wood Quay Venue in Dublin City Council Civic Offices. Speakers at the event included Mr. John Devitt, CEO of Transparency International Ireland; Mr. Brendin Howlin, the Minister for Public Sector Expenditure and Reform; Emily O'Reilly, the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner; and Bob Semple, partner in the Advisory practice in PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Here is a roundup of some of the media coverage of the event:
RTÉ Nine News, 26 May 2011 - Coverage of Speak Up Helpline Launch
Time: 15:45 to 17:49
The Epoch Times, 31 May 2011 - Citizens to Hold State to Account Using New Service
"Speaking at the launch of the new helpline, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin TD, commended TI for the initiative and said he was “impressed with the ambition behind the project that seeks to achieve a number of high level objectives.”"
The Irish Times, 27 May 2011 - Proposals on Ombudsman's office to go before Cabinet
"Proposals to expand the remit of the Ombudsman and widen the scope of freedom of information legislation will be brought to Cabinet shortly, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin has said...Mr Howlin was speaking last night at the launch of a new service providing confidential and professional advice for victims of corruption and potential whistleblowers."
The Irish Times, 26 May 2011 - Whistleblowers' hotline opens
"A new whistleblowers’ hotline for those concerned about wrongdoing has been launched today. Non-profit body Transparency International Ireland (TI) opened its 'Speak Up’ phone line to offer free, confidential information to people facing ethical dilemmas."
The Irish Independent, 26 May 2011 - Whistleblower helpline to go live
"The country's first whistleblowers' ethics and anti-corruption helpline goes live on Friday. Transparency International (TI) Ireland has set up the free, confidential alert to identify white-collar crime and waste of resources, and advise those affected. John Devitt, TI Ireland chief executive, said the "Speak Up" helpdesk will allow concerned citizens to follow their conscience and act as a safe way to report."
The Corkman, 26 May 2011 - Whistleblower helpline to go live
"Similar whistleblowing systems are up and running in 40 countries across eastern Europe and central Asia. Mr Devitt said 95,000 calls have been made to these centres since 2003. "Thousands of people are helped in reporting corruption, fraud or waste by public officials every year. TI chapters have made a huge difference to the way in which the state is held accountable by its citizens," he added."
The Belfast Telegraph, 26 May 2011 - Whistleblower helpline to go live
"John Devitt, TI Ireland chief executive, said the "Speak Up" helpdesk will allow concerned citizens to follow their conscience and act as a safe way to report. "It takes courage and integrity to speak up and report corruption, fraud or the abuse of power," he said."
An Phoblacht, 26 May 2011 - Whistleblower phoneline launched by Transparency International
"The whistleblower phone line launched by Transparency International (Ireland) for whistleblowers and victims of corruption has been welcomed by Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien, the party’s Dáil spokesperson on Justice."
TI Ireland Chief Executive John Devitt also did a number of radio interviews explaining the new Speak Up Helpline, including interviews with:
27 May 2011 - Clare FM
26 May 2011 - RTÉ - Drivetime
26 May 2011 - UTV Radio