IRISH TRIBUNAL ATTACKS - GRECO RESPOND
GRECO, the Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption, has said that it will raise with Ireland's delegates to GRECO concerns voiced by the Celtic League following orchestrated political attacks on the Irish anti-corruption tribunal system.
The Celtic League had (GRECO) urged it to issue a statement of support for the work of the anti-corruption Mahon Tribunal. The League said the Irish example of rigorously pursuing and exposing the political cheats and their sponsors was "an example that other GRECO members should emulate".
"Strasbourg, 9 July 2008
Dear Mr Moffatt
Thank you for your letter of 8 June 2008 relating to the Tribunal of Inquiry Into Certain Planning Matters and Payments ("Mahon Tribunal") in which you speak of an orchestrated campaign of criticism against the procedures of this body.
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that GRECO primarily comments on member States' measures for fighting corruption in the framework of its monitoring procedure, i.e. by way of evaluation and compliance reports. In this connection, please note that the topic of "Bodies and institutions in charge of the fight against corruption" has been dealt with in GRECO's First Evaluation Round and that the establishment of Tribunals of inquiry in Ireland has been highlighted in the First Round Evaluation Report on Ireland. All the reports adopted by GRECO and published by the countries concerned, including the aforementioned report on Ireland, are made available on GRECO's website:
http:I/www.coe. int/greco
It may be of interest for you to learn that the topic of "Transparency of party funding" is currently being dealt with in GRECO's Third Evaluation Round.
According to standing practice, I will bring the matters raised by you to the attention of the Irish delegation to GRECO.
Yours sincerely
Wolfgang Rau Executive Secretary of GRECO"
Related article on Celtic News at:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
16/07/08
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