Corruption

Corruption in Ireland takes many forms, from cosy relationships between banks, big business and the State to petty hindrance by State departments, abuses of process’ etc. Regardless of the level at which the corruption occurs, it has a detrimental effect on everyone at the receiving end and in many cases ruins the lives of the victims. The State has become the main abuser instead of the protector of rights.

A toxic culture has developed in many parts of the public service with people of good intention entering a job where the practice and procedure is corrupt. This practice and procedure, developed over time in the public service, has often elevated compliant employees to positions to which they are unsuited

Evidence that the system is corrupt to the core can be seen by the treatment of whistle blowers. While many are aware of the treatment of Garda Maurice McCabe, less well known are Garda Jack Doyle who exposed the involvement of the State in the importation of illegal drugs and the establishment of illegal drug markets who, as far as I know, is still seeking remedy for his treatment a quarter of a century later or Jonathan Sugarman who became unemployable when he reported banking crimes to the Central Bank of Ireland.

I propose an amnesty/peace and reconciliation process for low level corruption to identify and remove corrupt officials from the system.