Press Release

Bord Iascaigh Mhara, on 86%, achieved the highest overall score on the NII for Non-Commercial Public Bodies, followed by the Public Appointments Service on 80%. 

Dublin, 21 July 2022

Transparency International (TI) Ireland has welcomed the signing into law today of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022. The new legislation will strengthen existing whistleblowing safeguards in some areas, extend whistleblowing protections to volunteers and shareholders, while also imposing new obligations on private sector and charity employers with more than 50 staff.

Dublin, 15 February 2022

Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) and the Irish Refugee Council have announced today the launch of a joint project titled ‘Speak Up Safely – Support for Vulnerable Workers’.

The project aims to ensure that vulnerable workers - in particular asylum seekers and migrant workers - who want to speak up about unsafe working conditions can do so with the benefit of guidance on their rights and access to free legal advice.

Ervia, on 77%, achieved the highest overall score on the NII for Public Bodies, followed by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) on 72%. 

Dublin, 23 February 2021

Dublin, 21 May 2020

Former Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe is calling on the public to support Transparency International (TI) Ireland’s appeal to provide free legal advice for whistleblowers looking to report wrongdoing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The GoFundMe appeal is seeking to raise €50,000 over three months so that TI Ireland’s partner charity, the Transparency Legal Advice Centre (TLAC) can provide additional free legal advice valued at some €150,000 to Irish whistleblowers.

Dublin, 12 September 2018

The Irish Government has been slow to tackle international corruption involving Irish companies and financial institutions according to a new report published by Transparency International (TI) today.

The anti-corruption organisation has released the 2018 edition of its Exporting Corruption report, rating countries based on their enforcement against foreign bribery under the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. The Convention was ratified by Ireland in 2001 and made it a crime for Irish companies to bribe officials overseas.

Download the full report here

• Galway City Council the highest ranking of 31 local authorities. Galway County Council considered to be the worst performing on integrity index.
• Data shows strong relationship between number of women in senior management and better systems and practices to prevent corruption.
• All local authorities, as well as central government, need to do much more to prevent corruption.

Dublin, 16 May 2018

Dublin, 13 December 2017

Download the Full Report here

Ireland falls one place (from 18th to 19th) in Corruption Perceptions Index for 2016

Dublin, 25 January 2017

Washington DC, London, Dublin, 29 June 2016

The Whistleblowing International Network (WIN), a coalition of organisations supporting whistleblowers worldwide, has expressed its dismay at the conviction of the ‘LuxLeaks’ whistleblowers Antoine Deltour and Raphaël Halet. The Luxembourg’s court’s verdict was announced today. The two former employees of PricewaterhouseCoopers Luxembourg were found guilty of data theft and breach of commercial confidentiality when exposing potential abuses of Luxembourg’s tax system.

Ireland falls one place on Corruption Perceptions Index

Anti-corruption group calls for strong enforcement action in respect of Shelbourne College

Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) supports the Irish Council for International Students’ calls for the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) and the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI) to do more to investigate those responsible for the loss of over €500,000 in overseas’ students’ fees. 

Dublin, 4 June 2015

Anti-corruption organisation Transparency International (TI) Ireland has welcomed the Cabinet’s announcement yesterday evening to establish a commission of investigation that will inquire into transactions involving a loss of €10 million or more at the Irish Banking Resolution Corporation (IBRC).

John Devitt, Chief Executive of TI Ireland said:

Dublin, 3 December 2014

Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2014 is published today and shows an improvement in Ireland’s score for the second year in a row.

Despite a series of controversies involving the Gardaí, charities and appointments to public bodies, as well as allegations of corruption in planning; Ireland’s position on the index has moved up since 2012.

Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has welcomed the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, which became law today.

“The Act is a very important step in providing whistleblowers with the protection they deserve,” said John Devitt, Chief Executive of TI Ireland. 

“The new law draws on best practice guidelines and takes a more comprehensive approach similar to that adopted in the UK, New Zealand and South Africa.  For the first time, whistleblower legislation offers a safety net to workers in all sectors of the Irish economy,” he added. 

Sgt McCabe should not continue to be penalised for telling the truth 

Dublin, 25 March 2014
 
Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has welcomed Commissioner Martin Callinan’s decision to resign today after he refused to withdraw remarks describing the actions of two Garda whistleblowers as ‘disgusting’. However, the anti-corruption organisation has now called on Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, to also correct statements he made in public about Sgt Maurice McCabe and retired Garda John Wilson.
 

Dublin, 3 February 2014

The European Commission published its first report on corruption among the 28 EU Member States today. The report which includes a chapter on corruption in Ireland, calls on the Irish Government to put more effort into prosecuting corruption cases, as well as imposing limits on the value of donations that individuals can give in any year. It also recommends that Ireland establishes an urban planning regulator and addresses the risk of conflicts of interest effectively, especially at local government level.

Dublin, 28 January 2014

Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has written to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today asking that it continue hearing evidence on the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report into the cancellation of penalty points by senior members of the Gardaí in 2011 and 2012. The PAC is meeting this afternoon to decide on whether it should invite Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe to give oral evidence to help it examine the potential loss of millions of euros from management in the Garda penalty point records.

OECD calls for reorganisation of law enforcement resources to combat bribery

Dublin, 18 December 2013

The Irish Government has been criticised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) today for its failure to commit resources to adequately tackle bribery and corruption.

12 November 2013

Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has criticised the introduction of last-minute amendments that would severely weaken the Freedom of Information (FOI) regime. It is concerned that proposed new fee rules will significantly raise the cost of FOI applications and serve as a major deterrent against requests for information by investigative journalists and public interest organisations.

Legislation comes after six year campaign for universal charter

Dublin, 3 July 2013

Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has welcomed the publication of the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 today. The Bill will for the first time offer legal protections for workers in Ireland who report concerns about wrongdoing in the public, private and non-profit sectors.

• Read our latest statement from 21 March 2014 on the Garda Commissioner's comments and the Data Protection Commission
• Read our statement from 23 January 2014 calling for the Garda Commissioner to withdraw his threat of disciplinary action against Garda whistleblowers

Dublin, 15 May 2013

Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has called on An Garda Síochána Inspectorate to undertake a review of internal whistleblower procedures after a report was published by the Garda into alleged abuse of Fixed Charge Notice records by members of the service today.

Dublin, 23 November 2012

Anti-corruption organisation Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has voiced its concerns over the use of litigation and threats of legal action against Irish journalists during the visit to Dublin this week of the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders.

• Study on corruption in Ireland published today finds ‘partial progress’ in tackling the problem
• TI Ireland claims delays in introducing promised reforms could cost the Irish economy billions every year

Dublin, 25 October 2012

Standards in Public Office Commission should be given supervisory role of standards in local government

Dublin, 27 June 2012

The sentencing today of the former town councillor Fred Forsey Jnr for corruption highlights the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to stamp out corruption in local government according to Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland). Mr Forsey was convicted for receiving corrupt payments totalling €80,000 from a property developer who was seeking to get lands rezoned in Co Waterford. He is believed to be the first public representative in the history of the State to be convicted for corruption.

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.

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.

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, 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, 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.

Anti-corruption group repeats call for curbs on cash in politics and whistleblower safeguards for those reporting concerns in the public interest.

Dublin, 26 October 2010 – Ireland’s position on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) remains stable but there are worrying signs that corruption is still not being addressed by the Government, business and non-profit groups. The 2010 results were published today by Transparency International (TI).

Dublin, 19 July 2010 - Transparency International Ireland welcomes Standards in Public Office Commission annual report

Transparency International Ireland has cautiously welcomed Government proposals for a crack down on white-collar crime. But a spokesperson for the group has described its proposals for protecting whistleblowers as “window dressing”.

Dublin, 25 January 2010 - Anti corruption organisation Transparency International (TI) Ireland has responded to today’s Council of Europe report on corruption in Ireland by calling for the Government to introduce reforms to tackle the corruption and the sale of influence.

9 December 2009

International Anti Corruption Day – 9 December 2009 - The Irish chapter of Transparency International (TI) has called on the Irish Government to provide legal protection to anyone who reports evidence or a genuine suspicion of wrongdoing. TI Ireland is currently leading a campaign for legal safeguards for whistleblowers in Ireland and will publish a study and draft whistleblower legislation in the New Year.

Transparency International (TI) Ireland today launched the first ever survey of Irish political party and candidate commitments to tackling the abuse of power in government and politics. Parties were canvassed on their pledges to crack down on corruption in local and national government as well as throughout the European Union.

According to John Devitt, Chief Executive of TI Ireland, “the results show a large degree of consensus among the main parties on how trust can be restored in government. The key question is, are they ready to turn words into action?”

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

To the editor of The Sunday Times

Dear Sir,

23 September 2008

TI calls on Irish Government to protect its own reputation from further harm as bribery scandals hurt Britain’s international standing.

Dublin, 23 September 2008 – The 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), launched today by Transparency International (TI), shows Ireland’s reputation for honesty has improved over the last year – partly because the United Kingdom’s image has got dramatically worse.

Dublin, 23 November 2007 - After Britain's data protection scandal, John Devitt argues the alleged misuse of personal data by civil servants here must be investigated by the Garda as well as the Data Protection Commissioner

When the winner of a €115 million EuroMillions jackpot was announced in 2005, it wasn't just the media that jumped on the story. For reasons best known to themselves, 72 civil servants trawled the records of the Department of Social and Family Affairs to find out as much they could about Dolores McNamara, a housewife from Limerick and Ireland's newest multimillionaire.

Transparency International's membership has elected John Devitt to its international Board of Directors at its Annual Membership Meeting in Indonesia. He is the first Irish person to have been elected to the governing body of the Berlin based anti-corruption organisation. Korean anti-corruption and civil rights campaigner Rev. Geo Sung Kim was also elected to a further three year term.

TI 2007 Progress Report on the OECD Convention shows a lot more needs to be done. Ireland regarded as having made the least progress on foreign bribery.

Dublin, 19 July 2007

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, 28 June 2007 - Transparency International Ireland welcomes the publication of the Standards in Public Commission Report for 2006 which was released today.

Dublin, 12 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, 29 March 2007 - The 36-country OECD Working Group on Bribery expressed concern over Ireland’s commitment to the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, notably given its poor participation in the five-day visit to Ireland by OECD examiners in October 2006.

6 November 2006

Ireland ’s position improves but score remains the same

Dublin/Berlin, 6 November 2006 - The 2006 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), launched today by Transparency International (TI), points to a strong correlation between corruption and poverty, with a concentration of impoverished states at the bottom of the ranking.

Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has called on all local government representatives to decline the offer of any corporate gift or hospitality at this year’s Ryder Cup which may lead to a real or perceived conflict of interest.

Dublin, 26 June 2006 – Ireland is not living up to its international obligations to combat corruption according to a Progress Report on the implementation of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention issued by Transparency International (TI) today. Since Irish law on foreign bribery came into effect in 2001, no investigations or prosecutions have taken place and little, if anything, has been done to inform the public that the bribery of a foreign public official is a crime.

Berlin / Brussels 3 May 2006 --- European Union citizens deserve to know where their taxes are going. Full implementation of financial transparency recommendations issued today under the European Transparency Initiative (ETI) will help citizens keep an eye on where and how their money is spent. The ETI, headed by EU Commission Vice President Siim Kallas, seeks to improve public transparency of the EU.

Dublin, 13 March 2006

Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) and the School of Business, Trinity College Dublin have announced a partnership agreement that will see the anti-corruption group establish and manage an anti-corruption resource centre at the university.

Speaking at TI Ireland’s first AGM, Dr. Gerard McHugh, Head of Trinity’s School of Business said that the two organisations would work closely together in delivering information about the causes and costs of corruption.

Dublin, 13 February 2006 - Bob Geldof and Transparency International (TI) have joined forces to ensure that development assistance reaches those in desperate need.

During a meeting with TI today, Geldof also announced that he would urge British Prime Minister Tony Blair to appoint Peter Eigen, founder and former Chair of Transparency International, to a small group of influential individuals who would take on the mantle of monitoring the G-8’s progress in fulfilling its commitments.

Counterfeit drugs kill thousands each year and accelerate spread of drug-resistant diseases

1 February 2006 , Berlin / London – Corruption in the health care industry deprives those most in need of essential medical care and helps spawn drug-resistant strains of deadly diseases, says Transparency International ’s Global Corruption Report 2006, published today.

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

Global Press Release here

Download World Map here

Dubin, 15 September 2005 - With ratification yesterday by Ecuador of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the first truly global tool in the fight against corruption will enter into force on 14 December 2005. This milestone has been reached despite the fact that, of the Group of Eight industrialised nations (G-8), only France has ratified this essential agreement.

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.

TI Ireland, Transparency International’s national chapter in Ireland , has called for consultation with the general public in drafting and implementation of the upcoming Garda Reform Bill. Transparency International (TI) is a leading civil society organisation dedicated to the global fight against corruption.

16 March 2005

Ireland appears for the first time in an annual summary of sleaze from around the world today (16 March 2005). The Global Corruption Report, the only independent review of corruption around the world conducted annually, is published by Transparency International (TI), the leading non-governmental organisation fighting corruption worldwide.

Dublin, 13 January 2005 - International donors should take all possible steps to prevent corruption and diversion of aid from its intended recipients in tsunami-stricken regions in the Indian Ocean, said Transparency International (TI), the leading global non-governmental organisation devoted to combating corruption, today.