Political corruption - Crying need for honesty in public life

GIVEN the ‘brown envelope’ image of Irish politics, a reputation stereotyped in a string of tribunals and inquiries, it is not surprising that the majority of people perceive political parties as the sector most affected by corruption in this country.

This popular if somewhat cynical view of politics in Ireland is underscored in a global survey conducted by an international agency to mark UN International Anti-Corruption Day.

It goes without saying that the vast majority of politicians are not corrupt. Far from it, indeed, as many of them hold to the belief that politics is about public service rather than private gain.