As set out in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, protected disclosures can be made to certain external regulators or 'prescribed persons'. Such disclosures are often called whistleblowing.

What protected disclosures we cover

Under the Act, protected disclosures can be made to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) regarding compliance and regulation in the following areas:

  • The natural gas market
  • The electricity market
  • Matters relating to the regulation of the State’s public water system.

Who can make a protected disclosure

The Act covers a worker who is an employee of a regulated entity (other than CRU) who believes that wrongdoing has occurred in their organisation.

This wrongdoing must fall within the prescribed matters as defined in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.

How we handle protected disclosures

All protected disclosures are taken seriously. While disclosures are dealt with on a confidential basis, there are some exceptions.

For example, identifying the person making the disclosure may be necessary for a proper investigation to take place.

How to make a protected disclosure

The CRU's Protected Disclosures Policy provides information on how to make a protected disclosure.

CRU Protected Disclosures Policy

Protected disclosures can be made using the form provided. We will acknowledge disclosures within 14 days of receipt.

If you wish to make a Protected Disclosure to the CRU you should email this completed form to

protecteddisclosures@cru.ie

Please note that you will be asked to provide copies of all relevant documents that evidence the wrongdoing, and which may be necessary for any investigation of the matters raised in the disclosure undertaken by the Commissioner.

Protected Disclosures Form

Reports on protected disclosures

The Protected Disclosures Act requires the publication of a report by public bodies no later than 30 June each year relating to:

  • the number of protected disclosures made in the preceding year
  • any actions, if any, taken in response to such disclosures

We can confirm that no protected disclosures were made to the CRU between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2022.