The 36-country OECD Working Group on Bribery expressed concern over Ireland’s commitment to the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, notably given its poor participation in the five-day visit to Ireland by OECD examiners in October 2006. Such visits are an obligation under the Convention, and a crucial element for assessing how effectively countries are fighting foreign bribery. The total absence of awareness raising activities on foreign bribery in Ireland also demonstrates the low priority given to application of the Anti-Bribery Convention.
The Working Group on Bribery therefore welcomes and accepts Ireland’s invitation to carry out another two to three day on-site visit within one year, and feels this is necessary to ensure a more effective examination of Ireland’s enforcement of the OECD Convention. In addition, the Working Group recommends that Ireland:
* Amend its legislation on foreign bribery, which currently exists in two different statutes;
* Expand corporate liability for foreign bribery, and clarify the scope of the relevant legislation for companies;
*
Amend its laws to confirm that bribe payments to foreign public officials are not tax deductible;
* Ensure that Irish citizens and corporations can always be effectively prosecuted for foreign bribery offences committed outside Ireland.
See full Press Release.
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