Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 68: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the role and function of the anti-bribery website recently launched by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27029/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The website launch follows the publication last year of an OECD Report on Ireland's implementation of the Convention on Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and represents a cross-departmental, multi-agency approach to raising awareness and ensuring that the public is fully informed of how they should report any suspicion of such corrupt practices. It is intended to highlight the serious consequences such practices have for companies operating in an international business environment. In addition to companies engaged in international trade promotion and financial transactions, such offences of bribery and corruption can have implications for individuals, agencies with international connections and those working in the area of development aid.

The most important function of the website is to act as a central repository for information on Ireland's international obligations in the fight against bribery and corruption by providing information on Conventions and Treaties to which this country is a party. It is my intention that this website should be developed over time and that new up-to-date information is added to it, as appropriate. I am anxious to ensure that when Ireland is evaluated by International Organisations such as the OECD or the Council of Europe to see how it complies with the relevant international treaties and conventions, the Government can demonstrate openly and transparently that it takes its obligations very seriously, not least by publishing these evaluations on the new website.