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Anti-corruption review group seeks input

A call has gone out for submissions on tackling fraud and corruption in Irish life.

The Review Group on Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Measures in the Department of Justice and Equality wants interested parties to make submissions on beefing up structures and procedures in criminal law enforcement.

The review will assess the extent to which the various State bodies involved in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of fraud and corruption are working effectively together, and will identify any gaps or impediments in this regard.  

Specifically, the group wants submissions on the following matters, under its terms of reference:

• To identify the scope and extent of the structures and strategies within An Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies to prevent, investigate and penalise fraud and corruption and identify what gaps exist, by reference to international standards,
• To recommend options or potential solutions to any gaps or deficits (whether a stand-alone anti-fraud agency should be established, or improved cross-agency working, or thematic time-bound joint-agency task forces set up),
• To review the extent of potential cross-over of any new structure with the evolving role of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the work of the Cost of Insurance Working Group, and make recommendations to minimise duplication,
• To review the adequacy of the legal basis for sharing of information/evidence between relevant bodies (national and international) necessary to tackle fraud and corruption, and make recommendations where additional legislation may be required,
• To assess the levels of resourcing and expertise in relevant bodies and make recommendations.

Interested parties are invited to make submissions to AFACstructuresreview@justice.ie by 5pmon Friday April 19.

Measures

The review group was established as part of a suite of measures published by Government in November 2017 to combat white collar crime.

In 2018 James Hamilton, former Director of Public Prosecutions and anti-corruption expert, was appointed to chair the review. 

The group 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.