Public tribunals into corruption, gifts and payments to politicians have cost the State some €100 million since 1997. Public representatives (both local and national) should therefore be mindful of how their actions impact not just on their own personal reputations, but on the integrity of their office and the legitimacy and credibility of government in Ireland.
Public perceptions matter in a democracy. This is particularly the case where gifts or hospitality are offered by private sector interests with a direct or potential stake in future decisions taken by local government.įor three years running, political parties have been viewed as the most corrupt sector by the Irish public according to TI’s Global Corruption Barometer. Nonetheless public perceptions, rightly or wrongly, that gifts and hospitality may influence official decisions on planning or on any other issue in the future, should be taken very seriously. The personal integrity of the recipients of corporate gifts is not in question.
Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) has called on all local government representatives to decline the offer of any corporate gift or hospitality at this year’s Ryder Cup which may lead to a real or perceived conflict of interest.
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