CORRUPTION in Ireland
For years in Ireland it was accepted that some politicians had taken cash to re-zone development land. This week a former Government press secretary Frank Dunlop was jailed for 18 months for being the bagman during the 1990s. He admitted to bribing eight politicians. Dunlop arrived to court in Mercedes but left in a prison van. The reality, however, is that Ireland is pretty good compared to other countries when it comes to corruption. That doesn't mean it doesn't exists all the same.
The Irish chapter of Transparency International released figures this week which show that perception of corruption in Ireland has started to improve since hitting a low in 2002. Dunlop's revelations came in 2000 during a tribunal into payments to politicians. Ireland's ranking in terms of the international league table went from 11th in 1995 to to 23rd in 2002. Now we're back to 16th. Top is Denmark and in last place at 180th is Somalia. Jailing Dunlop should no doubt improve Ireland's ranking.
The Irish chapter of Transparency International released figures this week which show that perception of corruption in Ireland has started to improve since hitting a low in 2002. Dunlop's revelations came in 2000 during a tribunal into payments to politicians. Ireland's ranking in terms of the international league table went from 11th in 1995 to to 23rd in 2002. Now we're back to 16th. Top is Denmark and in last place at 180th is Somalia. Jailing Dunlop should no doubt improve Ireland's ranking.
Labels: bribes, corruption, Frank Dunlop
