Bureau will fight bribe culture

REELING from the Flood Tribunal report fallout, the Government announced details yesterday of a new political watchdog with the power to seize money received as bribes.

Amid criticism of its failure to clampdown on politicians taking cash for favours, the Government rushed to repeat the details of the Corruption Assets Bureau. With sweeping new powers, the Bureau will crack down on white-collar and political crime.

The Bureau was promised by the Taoiseach in his Ard Fheis speech back in March and again in the general election campaign. Yet no action has been taken yet in setting up the Bureau and it is not yet clear when it will be up and running. Last night a government spokesperson said the Bureau will be prioritised for legislation.