10 June 2022
Olivia Lally, the Chair of TI Ireland's Board, wrote to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD to raise concerns about the exclusion of any substantive representation from civil society organisations (CSO) on the Advisory Council (‘The Council’) on Economic Crime and Corruption. TI Ireland welcomed the creation of the Council as part of the Government’s Implementation Plan for tackling economic crime and corruption, and was encouraged by the allocation of two places out of six non-government members on the Council for civil society representation. Ireland has ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption, Article 13 of which states:
‘to promote the active participation of individuals and groups outside the public sector, such as civil society, non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations, in the prevention of and the fight against corruption and to raise public awareness regarding the existence, causes and gravity of and the threat posed by corruption’.
TI Ireland are surprised and disappointed to see the announced membership of the Council did not include anyone from a CSO with dedicated experience or qualifications in anti-corruption measures. TI Ireland asked the Minister to provide an opportunity for participation of a representative from a dedicated anti-corruption organisation on the Council in whatever capacity is feasible and appropriate.