'Corrupt' Ireland laid bare in report(one of the most corrupt countries in Europe)

utvinternet.com ^ | 04/04/02 | staff

[LarryLied]

Findings prepared by independent social researcher Brian Harvey declared that corruption was a central theme of life in Ireland and that human rights standards were below international levels.

The report, commissioned by the British-based Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust following a baseline study almost a decade ago, asserted: ``Ireland is now regarded as one of the more corrupt European states - and to have lost a considerable amount of foreign investment because of its international reputation.``

The report coincides with continuing proceedings at tribunals of inquiry into payments made to politicians - including three-times former Taoiseach Charles Haughey - and alleged planning irregularities also implicating senior political figures, as well as a number of scandals.

But Mr Harvey found that while the on-going investigations had ``done much to determine the nature of corruption, changes to improve the political and administrative system have been minimal.

``The fact that the problem is systemic has yet to be fully recognised. It is a serious gap in the modernisation of Irish governments.``

He called for the establishment of a special independent body to monitor corruption and cronyism in public life.

The conclusions went on to highlight ``widening levels of inequality, extraordinarily low levels of investment in public services - and a depressing record on environmental protection``.

They alleged Ireland was in breach of five international agreements related to the treatment of mentally-ill prisoners.

Mr Harvey said: ``It`s unacceptable in the face of evidence about the widespread abuse of human rights that many would have characterised as being a feature of the Soviet system many years ago.``

The report claimed, too, that despite years of ``unprecedented wealth`` in Ireland, resources had been squandered with many public services, especially health, in a worse state than ever.

Mr Harvey pinpointed as areas requiring urgent action:

• The lack of police accountability to the government or the public;

• The ``taboo subject`` of links between the judiciary and political parties;

• And public appointments to state-run bodies.

[mgc1122]

I'm going to take this with a grain of salt ... given the EU's hatred of Ireland's efforts to be competitive and lower taxes, this may or may not be a smear job.

[lafroste]

My thoughts exactly. The Irish are bucking the EU socialists via tax reform. This smells of an opening salvo of a PR campaign to punish them for their failure to kowtow to the socialist line.

[LarryLied]

I thought the angle of the attack interesting. The left usually uses racism, antisemitism, homophobia,sexism, environmental degradation and poverty when they trash someone or something. Corruption is a new one to me.

[constitutiongirl]

It is somewhat a badge of honor to be held in contempt by the Continentals.

[Happygal]

``changes to improve the political and administrative system''

I didn't know we HAD a system! *L*

Nice the way the British are doing surveys about us. I never knew they cared! *L*

[constitutiongirl]

The British did the survey on behalf of the French, since they can't understand a thing an Irishman says. As I was told by a 'gentleman' from western France-"The Irish are a step below the Scottish and a step up from barbarians." Well, at least our civilisation includes frequent bathing. *S*

[Tauzero]

"The report claimed, too, that despite years of ``unprecedented wealth`` in Ireland, resources had been squandered with many public services, especially health, in a worse state than ever."

To socialists, wealth not spent on public services is, by definition, "squandered".

[Wm Bach]

Imaging that! The Celtic Tiger squandering it's hard earned money on such frivolous nonsense as better food, homes, clothes, education, cars, vacations, retirement accounts...the nerve!

[Francohio]

I hate to see these non-quantitative reports.

OK, so Ireland is corrupt. How corrupt is it? What is the Corruption Scale for the EU? (1 being the Least Corrupt Member, 10 being the Most Corrupt Member.) So, who's Number 1? Who's Number 10?

Are we talking Major League Corruption, on the Clinton or Blair Cabinet Scale? Are we talking about minor league payoffs to get anything done, as in the polite " White Envelope" systems of Italy and France? Is there some fair way to combine the scores for all categories? What about the straight cash hand-over as in Spain, or Greece?

Also, this vague "Report" doesn't say whether or not the EU is happy or unhappy with the state of afairs. Perhaps their complaint is the corruption in Ireland is not big enough!

Dammit, the EU has quantitative standards for everything else, why not a DIN Number for Corruption? Now that; that would be helpful.

[CdMGuy]

Reads like a left wing attempt to denigrate the Irish. Isn't it strange. Perhaps corruption breeds economic success. The most successful of European economies is also the most corrupt? Please, the Irish would have to work for a thousand years to be half as corrupt as the French - a nation known for pay-offs and bribes at all levels of politics and business.

[Colosis]

Hello there constitutiongirl, if infact that is your real name,

It's open season here for liberal groups which seem to be coming out of the woodwork because they know the government isn't going to slap them down in the middle of an election campaign. As for Europe, didn't the whole European parliament retire  some time ago because of corruption? I suppose the words socialist and hypocrite are made for each other. 

Oh yea, they are also going to re-run the Nice treaty here again. I suppose the EU project would never let a little thing like democracy get in the way of their socialist aspirations.

[Norn Iron]

Well, at least our civilisation includes frequent bathing. *S*

Standing out in light rain cs may be a shower to you but it isn't bathing *S*

[Norn Iron]

C, some Prodi told them they had to keep voting until the answer was YES. *S*

Interesting to see Gerry defending the interests of nation states against USE's and Vatican's "Europe of the Regions".

Wee Bertie's been sitting on his butt so long on this issue that he's starting to show signs of pain in the Aras.