Ireland signed the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in 2003 and ratified it in November 2011. Ireland deposited the instrument of ratification of the OECD Convention Combating Bribery of Foreign Officials in International Business on 22 September 2003. The Convention came into force on 21 November 2003.
The implementing legislation with regard to the criminal law aspects of both of these international instruments is primarily that contained in the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010. The core offences of active and passive corruption are set out in the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2001.
The most important development in the law in recent years was the enactment of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2010, which strengthens the existing legislation relating to the prevention of corruption. Key provisions include the extension of extra-territorial jurisdiction for corruption offences, a revision of the main corruption offence and the provision of whistleblowers' protection.
There are a number of other relevant laws and regulations that are also applicable in the implementation of both of these instruments including legislation dealing with matters such as ethics in public office, money laundering, mutual legal assistance, etc.
The State is also party to the Council of Europe Criminal Law Convention and is an active participant in the Council of Europe Group of States Against Corruption.
It is also worth noting that the heads of a Bill to reform and consolidate the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010 are currently being developed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence who intends to bring them to Government before Easter. It is his intention to publish the heads of the Bill and to refer them to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality prior to the drafting of the Bill. The objective is to clarify, consolidate and reform the provisions contained in the seven different enactments which make up the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010.
The new Bill will make corruption legislation more accessible by replacing seven overlapping statutes with one. It also affords an opportunity to review the legislation in this area, and to improve it in light of our experience as members of the international anti-corruption groups.