An article by TI Ireland’s Head of Policy and Research, Alexander Chance, has been published by the Azure Forum for Contemporary Security Strategy entitled ‘‘Follow the money’ … But how far? Tackling transnational illicit financial flows through Ireland’.

TI Ireland is proud to have proposed a resolution on corruption and human rights passed at our international Annual Membership Meeting on 7 November 2021 . Governments must respect fundamental rights when fighting corruption or upholding the rule of law, including freedom of the press and civil society.

Resolution

TI’s membership meeting declares that the fight against corruption is incompatible with the abuse and neglect of fundamental human rights.

Countering Corruption in the Workplace

Corruption is defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.[1] According to Transparency International, 123 countries worldwide have been identified as having a serious corruption problem.[2] Corruption comes in many forms including bribery, blackmail, conflicts of interest, collusion and fraud.

by Kelly McCarthy

Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2011. In doing so, it committed itself to stamping out corruption both at home and overseas and to subject itself to periodic peer-reviews of its efforts in tackling the problem. Ireland will undergo the second peer-review of its enforcement of the UNCAC later this year, by two other states who are party to the Convention.

Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has written to acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to propose ten measures aimed at tackling corruption and white collar crime during the term of the next government.

The call comes as negotiations continue to form a minority government and in the wake of a series of national and international scandals, including the controversy surrounding the release of the Panama Papers.

The following letter to the Irish Times was published on 18 December 2015 in response to an article written by the Times' political editor Stephen Collins titled 'Corruption, however minor, likely to be an election issue'. The article quotes Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index in downplaying the severity of the issue in Ireland. The Corruption Perceptions Index 2015 will be published on 27 January 2016.

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Download the Full Report here

• Local Government source of largest number of reports
• Health Sector reports highest levels of whistleblower retaliation
• Dublin and Cork generating largest number of complaints

Dublin, 31 March 2015

Transparency International (TI) Ireland prepared this submission on the Draft Political Party Account Guidelines prepared by the Standards in Public Office Commission’s (SIPO). TI Ireland maintained that comprehensive detailed disclosure is the starting point of an effective regulatory framework aimed at enhancing transparency in the funding of political parties.

List of Recommendations

Transparency International Ireland response to queries on Global Corruption Barometer 2013

Dublin, 20 March 2013

Transparency International Ireland welcomes safeguards agreed yesterday under the stewardship of the Irish EU Presidency to prevent conflicts of interest in the supervision of Eurozone banks by the European Central Bank.

The deal reached by negotiators from the European Parliament and the Irish EU Presidency will help to regulate the 'revolving door' between the ECB and the financial institutions it supervises.

TI Ireland was delighted to host a book launch by Irish corruption law expert Imelda Higgins BL and two leading figures in the global anti-corruption movement and co-founders of TI, Lawrence Cockcroft and Frank Vogl.

Our CEO John Devitt chaired a wide-ranging panel discussion which raised fascinating questions about how much corruption Irish people are willing to tolerate, delved into the murky world of political finance in France, and paid tribute to anti-corruption activists around the globe.

Transparency International Ireland invites you to a book-launch and panel discussion, showcasing three new important works on the fight against corruption in Ireland and worldwide. The event takes place at 6.30pm on Monday 19 November at the Central Hotel, Dublin 2. 

‘Money, Power and Ethics in the Modern World’, by Laurence Cockcroft
&
‘Corruption Law’ by Imelda Higgins BL
&
‘Waging War on Corruption: Inside the Movement Fighting the Abuse of Power’ by Frank Vogl

105 biggest public companies reviewed. 61 based in Ireland. Only Statoil says how much it pays in corporation tax. 68 per cent report on anti-corruption measures

Dublin, 10 July 2012

The world’s largest publicly-traded companies are reporting more than in the past about their anti-corruption programmes but still need to do a lot more to increase transparency in reporting on their operations, according to a new study by Transparency International.

New plans for an innovative anti-corruption law that could allow a court to remove a TD (member of parliament) or minister from office and prevent them from holding office for up to ten years have been welcomed by Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland).

The general scheme of the Criminal Justice (Corruption) Bill 2012 was released for public consultation today and it includes provisions to allow a court to remove a serving TD or office holder (including Ministers), where a conviction for corruption has been made against them.

Wrongdoing continues to undermine economic stability

Dublin 6 June 2012

Anti-corruption group Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) today calls on political leaders to go beyond austerity policies to tackle fundamental governance gaps that undermine economic stability.

The call comes with the publication in Brussels of a report into corruption risks in Europe which highlights transparency deficits in the way policy decisions are made and political groups are funded in many EU countries, including Ireland.

The Transparency International report, 'Money, Politics and Power: Corruption Risks in Europe', highlights gaps in governance that contributed to the financial and political scandals in nearly every European country last year.

Dublin, 22 March 2012 - Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has urged the Government to radically reform how corruption is investigated. The call from the anti-corruption group follows today’s publication of the final report of the Mahon Tribunal which was set up in 1997 to investigate allegations of corrupt payments to politicians.

Dublin, 27 February 2012

Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has welcomed the publication today of proposals for new legislation that should offer protection for whistleblowers across the public and private sectors. The Protected Disclosure in the Public Interest Bill 2012 will allow anyone working in business, government and the non-profit sectors comprehensive safeguards when disclosing information to their employers, the authorities, TDs or the press.

John Devitt, TI Ireland’s chief executive, will address a seminar on anti-bribery and corruption legislation in Ireland on 9^th February 2012.

The event is part of a series of seminars aimed at senior ranking civil and public servants hosted by Mason Hayes and Curran.

Mr Alan Shatter T.D.
Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence
Department of Justice and Equality
94 St Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2

Dear Minister Shatter,

Dublin, 11 November 2011

Transparency International Ireland (TII) welcomes Ireland’s ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.  Ratification of the Convention sends out a clear signal of Ireland’s commitment to tackle corruption, at home and abroad, and will go some way to repairing the damage that corruption has caused to Ireland’s international reputation. The Convention creates a framework for co-operation between legal authorities and governments to work together to investigate and prosecute cross-border corruption.

Independent group should oversee FIFA reform

Berlin, Dublin, 16 August 2011 – Transparency International (TI), the anti-corruption organisation, calls on world football's governing body, FIFA, to carry out comprehensive governance reforms overseen by a group composed of representatives from outside FIFA (including representatives from media and civil society) and inside football (including federations, clubs, professional leagues, players, women’s football, referees, supporters) in a way that ensures its independence.

6th August 2011, Marion Finucane Radio Show

Eugene McErlean on the need for one law to protect all whistleblowers

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/marianfinucane/2011-08-06.html

TI Ireland Chief Executive John Devitt will be speaking at an upcoming conference on corruption and whistleblowing...

EBEN Research Conference 2011
Trinity College Dublin Business School, June 8-10
Does Integrity Matter?

Dublin, 26 May 2011 – Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) will launch its new ‘Speak Up’ Helpline, Ireland’s first service for whistleblowers and victims of corruption, today. The Speak Up Helpline will offer free, confidential information to people facing ethical dilemmas, those reporting concerns about wrongdoing in the workplace, waste and fraud in public bodies, or people or organisations that have been the victim of corruption or white collar crime. The service is the first of its kind in Western Europe, although Transparency International chapters already operate such helplines in around forty countries worldwide.

Dublin, 18 May 2011 - Transparency International Ireland will launch its new Speak Up free information helpline and Transparency Resource Centre. This service will offer support for people facing ethical dilemmas or reporting concerns about wrongdoing in the workplace and government. It is one of the first of its kind in Western Europe and is partly funded by the European Commission.

Dublin, 24 March 2011 - Transparency International (Transparency) Ireland has asked that the Gardaí, Criminal Assets Bureau, Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and Norwegian authorities lead investigations into any prima facie criminal activities or company law violations surrounding the award of Ireland’s second mobile licence in 1995. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) will also be asked to review progress in the case.

Dublin, 24 February 2011 - With the EU playing a greater role in Irish domestic affairs, there is an ever-growing need to make effective requests for documents held by EU institutions. 

'Access to Documents and Transparency in the EU: a practical guide & the future of EU transparency law', is a public event jointly hosted by Transparency International Ireland and the Irish Society for European Law (ISEL).

Dublin, 9 February 2011 - The last programme for government contained clear but unfulfilled commitments on whistleblowers and corporate donations yet here again there is generally little commitment to specifics or timeframes

By John Devitt (this article appears in the current edition of Village Magazine)

The collapse of the Irish economy and collapse of trust in Irish politics has propelled reform up the political agenda. And given that any new government will have so little cash to play with, promises of institutional reform and open government are among the few they may be able to deliver.

Dublin, 9 December 2011 -

Central Council
The Irish Red Cross Society
c/o Mr. David J. O’Callaghan
Chairman
The Irish Red Cross Society
16 Merrion Square Dublin 2

Dear Mr O’Callaghan,

I write to formally and publicly raise the concerns of Transparency International Ireland with the Irish Red Cross Society over its dismissal of Mr. Noel Wardick, former Head of the Irish Red Cross’s International Department.

Dublin, 28 September 2010 - Transparency International Ireland is celebrating International Right to Know Day with a public workshop on access to information in Ireland. 

Dublin, 27 May 2010 - The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has recently called for public and NGO submissions on the future of Ireland's international development policy. As part of this process, TI Ireland has called for greater attention to be given to the harmful affects of corruption in the developing world and for greater resources to be allocated in combatting this scourge.

Dublin, 18 May 2010 - A study on the regulation of lobbyists examining systems in the United States, Canada, Germany and the EU institutions has been published by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The study was authored by Dr. Raj Chari, Trinity College Dublin and Dr. Gary Murphy, Dublin City University

Dublin, 24 March 2010 - 1. Does anyone have to prove that a licence or contract was awarded in return for any payment or gift?

Dublin, 19 January 2010 - The national study is available in PDF. Please contact us if you would like us to email you a copy.

A European Commission funded study claims that the Irish Government’s approach to exposing corruption in our banks and government is deeply flawed.

Dublin, 8 September 2009 - The global financial crisis has hit Ireland hard and our politicians, government and banking sector have taken much of the blame. As the country’s reputation comes under threat, we ask what can be done to restore public and investor confidence in “Ireland Inc”? An expert panel from politics, business and civil society will debate how government and business can rebuild lost trust with the public and investors. Our audience will also be invited to take part in what should be a very lively but informative discussion.

Dublin, 10 March 2009 - Terry Prone's article can be read here

To the editor of The Sunday Times

Dear Sir,

Dublin, 19 September 2008

THE NGO Workshops (Dublin, June, July and September 2008) Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, O’Connell St, Dublin 1

With Simon Devilly, Journalist and former producer RTÉ. The second workshop on the topic of communications and corruption will benefit practitioners with an interest in the current debate around corruption in development and the developing world.

Dublin, 1 July 2008 - With Simon Devilly, Journalist and former producer RTÉ. This workshop will benefit anyone with an interest in the current debate around corruption in development and the developing world. Our media facilitator will challenge participants to use simple language in explaining a very complex problem.

Dublin, 13 June 2008 - Roslyn Hees, Senior Advisor at Transparency International will lead a workshop for development NGOs on the implementation of TI’s Corruption Risk Mapping Project.

Cost: Free for non-profit staff; €400 per participant from the private sector. This series is supported by Irish Aid.

Dublin, 2 April 2008 - The 2008 Annual General Meeting of Transparency International Ireland will be held on Thursday 3 July from 6pm to 7pm at Buswells Hotel, Molesworth St, Dublin 2.

It will be followed by a presentation from Akere Muna on his experiences fighting corruption in Africa and beyond. 

All are welcome – please feel free to forward to anyone who may be interested in attending. Membership is available on the evening.

The meeting will be followed by a drinks reception at Buswells Hotel.

Dublin, 15 January 2008 - The Business Workshops 9.30am to 4pm

1 July 2008
8 September 2008
6 January 2009

Anti-Bribery Strategies for Irish Businesses

Dublin, 26 October 2007 - As the Dail debates the Taoiseach's testimony to the Mahon Tribunal, Transparency International calls on both the Government and Opposition to articulate a clear vision to fight corruption.

The 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), launched today by Transparency International (TI), shows that Ireland’s international reputation for straight dealing has been hurt by weak safeguards against corruption and Government’s reversal of important political reforms.

Dublin, 12 July 2007 - Safeguards against potential conflicts of interest for former State servants must be introduced urgently, argues John Devitt.

I wish Tom Parlon well in his new role as director general of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). Mr Parlon brings with him a great deal of expertise and experience gained while a government minister at the Office of Public Works.

Dublin, 2 July 2007 - The third of three seminars for development agencies will focus on strengthening accountability in partner countries and opportunities for civil society to contribute to the promotion of public participation in decision making. Led by Kulan Amin, TI’s Programme Manager for Poverty and Development, the session will draw from TI’s recently published discussion paper on Poverty, Aid and Corruption which is available  here.

Dublin, 25 April 2007 - Government proposals to raise the limit at which gifts and loans to Oireachtas members should be disclosed are disproportionate and will only increase the risk of corruption in political finance and government says anti-corruption organisation Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland).

Dublin, 10 April 2007 - The OECD has published its long-awaited report on Ireland's efforts to prevent the bribery of public officials by Irish companies. It is one of the most damning the Paris think-tank has ever published, writes John Devitt

While we have made occasional attempts to come to grips with corruption at home, it now appears that Irish nationals may also been busy exporting corruption abroad. At the same time, the Irish authorities have turned a blind eye.

Dublin, 10 October 2006 - Amendments to the Ethics Act are a necessity but so is the need for transparency over appointments to public bodies, writes John Devitt

The payments controversy highlights not just the need to reform the Ethics Acts. It also underscores the urgent need for greater transparency in the way appointments are made to public bodies.

As the controversy over gifts and loans to the Taoiseach moves on, more time needs be devoted by commentators and politicians on both sides of the Oireachtas to the question of how the kind of crisis we witnessed over the past weeks can be avoided in the future.

Dublin, 11 June 2006 - TI/TCD Breakfast Workshop - 11 June, 7.30am to 9am

TI’s Bribe Payers Index shows that the infrastructure sector is the most vulnerable to corruption worldwide. This session introduces TI UK’s Infrastructural Programme, a core element of TI’s private sector strategy. Further information on this programme is available at www.anticorruptionforum.org.uk

Dublin, 17 May 2006 - Open letter to the editor of Phoenix Magazine outlining facts about Transparency International

Dear Sir,

Dublin, 13 March 2006 - Numerous tribunals, conventions, laws and institutions have been established in Ireland and around the world to fight corruption. Yet corruption is perceived to be as prevalent as ever. If this is so, then what is being done and more importantly, what more needs to be done?

An expert panel, chaired by RTE's Rodney Rice, will discuss the impact that reform has had on levels of corruption in Ireland and elsewhere during an evening seminar titled Global Corruption, Global Response on 13 March at Trinity College Dublin.

Dublin, 17 October 2005 - Full Irish Press Release with methodology and FAQs here

Global Press Release here

Download World Map here

Dublin, 28 July 2005 - Transparency International Ireland (TI) has launched Ireland ’s first corruption news and analysis service. A quarterly journal and newsletter titled TIQ Ireland will be delivered by email and will include a round-up of news headlines from Ireland . It will also offer analysis of reforms and on the costs and causes of corruption worldwide.