Lisa McDonald (Fianna Fail)

I also welcome the Bill which strengthens the law on the bribery of foreign officials in compliance with the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. It is welcome that the Minister has said we will see a consolidation of prevention of corruption legislation which, when codified, will make the law on corruption easier to understand.

The Bill provides protection for whistleblowers. For too long we have had a culture of knowing certain things go on, resulting in people going home from work feeling there is nothing they can do about it. I recently met such a person. Employees need a certain level of education to ensure they understand the nature of their responsibilities to their employers and the State. It is incumbent on the Department and the media to highlight the strengthening of the law in this area. Owing to our history and colonial past, we have inherited an attitude of viewing employers and those involved in law enforcement as not quite the enemy but as people to whom we cannot or are afraid to speak. I hope the enactment of this legislation will result in a change to that culture.

From an international perspective, increasing the protection for whistleblowers and strengthening the arm of the State in dealing with corruption will send the right signal to ensure business transacted abroad is protected and that our officials understand that when acting abroad in the name of an Irish company or the State, they are covered by the rigours of the legislation.

Senator Regan spoke about the corruption culture which cannot be denied, but I do not believe it is all on one side. Mobile phone licensing springs to mind and extensions to Deputies' houses etc. It happens across the board and taoisigh other than just Fianna Fáil taoisigh were involved.