Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has taken the government to task for failing to deliver effective corruption law reforms despite repeated promises and re-hashed plans.
“The Social Democrats have long recognised the need for a more coordinated approach to tackling corruption and corporate crime. As far back as November 2015, we proposed the creation of an Independent Anti-Corruption Agency.”
Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD has taken the government to task for failing to deliver effective corruption law reforms despite repeated promises and re-hashed plans.
Deputy Shortall said:
“It’s ten years since the banking collapse that brought the economy to its knees, yet we have very little to show for it in terms of either successful prosecutions or effective reforms to deter, detect and prosecute corruption and white-collar crime.
“Today it is reported that An Garda Siochána, in a submission to the Law Reform Commission, is calling for better co-operation between agencies dealing with corporate crime.
“The Social Democrats have long recognised the need for a more coordinated approach to tackling corruption and corporate crime. As far back as November 2015, we proposed the creation of an Independent Anti-Corruption Agency. Our detailed proposals are based on best-practice internationally and cover corruption in both the public and the private sphere.
“Unfortunately, Fine Gael did not support the Social Democrats’ motion to establish this agency, which we brought before the Dáil in December 2015. Since then we have seen launch after launch of re-hashed proposals and legislation from the Fine Gael government – but absolutely no action.”
Deputy Shortall added:
“The Law Reform Commission is due shortly to issue recommendations on how to reform white-collar crime legislation and regulation. Yet there is absolutely nothing in the government’s record to date to show that this is likely to lead to any meaningful changes. This ‘all talk no action’ approach speaks volumes.”
ENDS
22nd October 2018