McGuinness reaffirms Ireland’s commitment to OECD Convention on combating bribery of foreign public officials in international business transactions

Trade and Commerce Minister, John Mc Guinness, T.D., today led a high level delegation at the 10^th Anniversary of the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions.

Speaking in Rome the Minister reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to the Convention and stressed the importance the Government places on ensuring that all business transactions are carried out in a fair and transparent manner.

The Minister said “This event had provided us with an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the last 10 years in stamping out bribery and corruption. The Irish Government have taken stock and we will now proceed with further measures to ensure more vigorous compliance with the Convention.”

The measures being taken in Ireland include:

• A Senior Officials Compliance Committee representing all relevant Departments and Agencies has been established to ensure full compliance with the Convention.

• New amending legislation is being prepared to ensure that recommendations arising from a recent OECD evaluation are implemented.

• Measures relating to raising awareness of the Convention are being considered currently by an Interdepartmental Committee.

The meeting, which was opened by Italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi, and addressed by Mr. Angel Gurria, OECD Secretary General, was attended by Ministers from over 30 countries. The delegation included officials from the Departments of Enterprise Trade and Employment, Justice Equality and Law Reform, Foreign Affairs as well as representatives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and An Garda Síochána.

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