Submission to the Review Group on Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Measures

GSOC made a submission to the Review Group on Anti -Fraud and Anti – Corruption Measures which was established by the Government in November 2017 and which is chaired by the former Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. James Hamilton on the 24th of April 2019.  We have published that submission today on our website.

In our submission we note that:

“Transparency International defines corruption as ‘the abuse of entrusted power for private gain’ and states that the consequence of corruption is the destruction of the basic rights of people. The concept of the abuse of ‘entrusted power’ is of particular importance in the context of a national police force which is entrusted with a great deal of power.”

The GSOC submission looks at the current challenges for the Garda Síochána in relation to the investigation of allegations of corrupt behaviour by Garda members and the challenges faced both internally and externally.

The submission further stresses the necessity of ensuring that effective oversight is set out in legislation; without it, members of the Garda Síochána will be investigating their colleagues in relation to these very serious allegations.

The public have seen the time and effort, and cost, of the six year-long Morris Tribunal and the more recent findings of Mr. Justice Charleton in the Disclosures Tribunal, both of which dealt with issues arising out of certain practices within the Garda Síochána.

Tribunals of Inquiry are one way of dealing with bad practices—though they are of necessity established only after the fact.

Independent oversight is another way forward.

We look forward to the proposals in our submission being incorporated into new legislation.

******************

The Review Group on Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Measures has been established as part of a suite of measures published by Government in November 2017 aimed at enhancing corporate governance, increasing transparency and strengthening Ireland’s response to White Collar Crime.

In 2018, the Minister for Justice and Equality appointed Mr James Hamilton, former Director of Public Prosecutions and anti-corruption expert, to chair the review.  The review group, which comprises a range of relevant Government Departments, State agencies and other experts, held its first meeting in September 2018 and has been asked to report back to the Minister by summer 2019 with its findings and recommendations.