The Workplace Relations Commission found Declan Cosgrave was fairly dismissed by The Department of Foreign Affairs after an allegation of unauthorised access to its Automated Passport System. The decision, dated 17 February 2025, rejected his unfair dismissal complaint and recorded no award. Cosgrave denied accessing the system and said others could have used it while he was logged in at a shared desktop. The WRC found that fair procedures were followed and that the Secretary General had reasonable grounds to find serious misconduct. An internal Appeals Board had also found serious misconduct but recommended demotion and transfer; the Secretary General decided dismissal was reasonable.
WRC upholds Declan Cosgrave’s dismissal over passport system access
Historic decision · Decision date:
Place: no local area assigned from the source.