A new White Collar Crime Package to tackle corruption and increase transparency was announced on 2 November by the Irish Government. New offences and stronger penalties are on the horizon.
On 2 November 2017 the Government published its new White Collar Crime package. Major features of the package include the:
- Overhaul of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) – to be established as an independent agency with powers to recruit and enlist expert staff;
- Launch of a Joint Agency Task Force to tackle white collar crime – to specifically address payment fraud; and
- Introduction of two new pieces of legislation – the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill (published on 2 November 2017) and the Criminal Procedure Bill.
NEW CORRUPTION BILL PUBLISHED
The Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill 2017, published yesterday by the Minister for Justice and Equality, introduces new offences and stronger penalties for individuals convicted of corruption.
This article contains a general summary of developments and is not a complete or definitive statement of the law. Specific legal advice should be obtained where appropriate.