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THE GOVERNMENT SAYS it is introducing a “comprehensive” package of new measures to tackle white-collar crime, to update legislation that dates as far back as 1889.
The Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill 2017 will bring a string of new offences that aim to fight corruption, with recommendations made by the Mahon Tribunal included in the Bill.
One of the key pieces of the legislation will see a corporation being liable for the actions of directors, managers, employees or agents who engage in corruption in order to benefit that company.
It provides for penalties such as unlimited fines, in certain circumstances, and imprisonment of up to 10 years.
The Bill also allows for a person holding public office to be removed from their position if found guilty of corruption.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said: “This major legal reform involves not just an overhaul of legislation dating back to Victorian times, it introduces new offences, proposes stronger penalties for those convicted of corruption and makes provision for many recommendations of the Mahon Tribunal.”
As per the Mahon Tribunal’s recommendation, an Irish official who uses confidential information obtained in the course of their work for corrupt purposes shall be guilty of an offence.
Among other matters, the Mahon Tribunal found that former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern did not truthfully account for payments of IR£165,000 made to accounts connected to him.
The report did not make findings of corruption against Ahern, but proved hugely damaging to his reputation. He has disputed the findings.
Earlier this month, the government announced that the country’s corporate watchdog the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) was to be overhauled.
The ODCE came in for criticism after the collapse of the case against former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick.
It was found that the ODCE staff had destroyed evidence and coached witnesses during its investigation. Jobs Minister Frances Fitzgerald, who was formerly justice minister, said that the ODCE was “not fit for purpose” after the case fell apart.
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time to re-introduce smoking in pubs so..
Am I missing something here ( simple ::::: don’t smoke:::::: ) , if u do u should accept the consequences….
You’re missing a whole rake of somethings. Of course not smoking would be the best way to avoid the associated risks, but surely you’re no suggesting that we don’t attempt to find ways of dealing with the consequences of smoking?
If everyone shared that attitude no scientific or medical breakthroughs would ever be made.
Tax the filthy things out of existence I say.
That’s it… I’m back on the fags.
Lovely fags. Glad I quit them though I was starting to wheeze going up stairs. Miss them but if I go back on them I will be going back to crappy lungs and feeling sorry for myself. I do recommend the 4 D’s method it helped me to quit. Ash Wednesday tomorrow so try the old quit something for lent you never know it could work!
@human being, well done to you!! Sorry for my ignorance but what is 4 D’s??
You know willy giving your self a pat on the back does not count for a positive comment.
I am not a smoker and I am in no position to tel any one how to live ther lives, but if people want to, or need to smoke it’s there money like ever one elce who jumps from a plain or goes TT racing the risks are there two and the hart ache and bills when things go wrong. But its the likes of you and Paul and your selfrightous, no it all bull that turns my stomach!
Both of my parents died early through smoking-related effects, so it grieves me to see teenagers starting to smoke. Still, at that age they’re going to live for ever, aren’t they?
Bans and high taxes have a limited effect. The only way is to somehow make smoking seem very uncool. Any ideas?
The new treatment is call Stop Smoking Now
have your say