Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 February 2014
189. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Commission’s EU anti-corruption report is informing the work of his officials in drawing up the proposed criminal justice (corruption) Bill; the timeline for introduction of this Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9948/14]
View answerI am pleased to say that the recently published EU Anti-Corruption Report on Ireland noted, in positive terms, the implementation in the State of a broad anti-corruption legislative reform programme. The Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Corruption) Bill 2012, aims to strengthen the law on corruption and repeal and replace the existing provisions contained in the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010. In the context of the preparation of this anti-corruption measure, my officials take account of relevant recommendations made by the various organisations involved in this area, including the OECD, the Council of Europe GRECO Group, and the UN. As regards the content of the Bill, the Deputy will note that the EU Report makes reference to the Scheme of the Bill incorporating various recommendations contained in the Report of the Mahon Tribunal. These new provisions include, for instance, an offence of making reckless payments to a third party, while knowing or being reckless to the fact that that party intends to use the payments to pay bribes. It is intended that the Criminal Justice (Corruption) Bill 2012, which is currently with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting, will be published later this year.
