Section 31Part 5 — RECEIVING, INVESTIGATING AND OTHERWISE DEALING WITH PROTECTED DISCLOSURES
Right to refuse; duty to refer
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The designated authority acting in good faith, may, in any of the circumstances set out in subsection (2) —
refuse to deal with the disclosure, or commence an investigation into any improper conduct alleged in the disclosure; or
cease an investigation.
The circumstances are —
the disclosure is not a protected disclosure;
the subject matter of the disclosure or the related investigation has been adequately dealt with;
the subject matter of the disclosure is frivolous or not sufficiently important to warrant an investigation; or
the circumstances surrounding the subject matter of the disclosure have changed (whether by reason of insufficiency of evidence or otherwise) so that it renders the investigation unnecessary.
Where the designated authority refuses to carry out an investigation, the designated authority shall forthwith notify the employee in writing of the refusal and provide reasons for the refusal in such notice or in writing within fifteen days of the refusal.