80% see corruption as major problem for Ireland, EU survey reveals

The vast majority of people living in Ireland (80%) believe that corruption is a major problem for the country; that it is part of Irish business culture and is widespread among politicians, according a new EU-wide survey.

Along with their suspicion of politicians, the Irish respondents said almost a third of the police, a fifth of customs officials and those involved in the law abuse their power for personal gain.

“The survey reflects the public’s overwhelming frustration over the government’s failure to fight corruption and white collar crime in particular,” said John Devitt, head of Transparency International’s Irish office.