On the 3rd of December 2024, a national meeting under the newly created EU network against corruption took place in Ireland at the premises of the European Commission Representation in Dublin.

As part of the EU network against corruption the Commission hosts national meetings to provide an opportunity for EU Member States’ anti-corruption stakeholders to engage in dialogue and raise awareness on anti-corruption issues. The EU network against corruption, set up as part of the EU anti-corruption adopted on 3 May 2023, brings together national authorities, practitioners, civil society, international organisations, EU agencies and relevant services of the European Commission.

Based on the Irish chapter of the 2024 Rule of Law report the meeting in Ireland focused on high risk areas for corruption in Ireland. The workshop brought together representatives from key national institutions, prosecutors, judges, civil society, and the academic community.

First, participants discussed the key high-risk areas for corruption in Ireland, and what additional risks or gaps in oversight need to be addressed to mitigate corruption effectively. They also discussed what role the ethics framework plays in tackling corruption effectively, particularly in high-risk areas. High-risk areas identified were sports and financial management, among others, and digitalisation was mentioned as an additional gap.

After the break, the challenges identified were gathered into three groups. The participants were then grouped to address either priorities, recommendations, or potential solution to the challenges.

The National workshop in Dublin facilitated discussions between many actors and provided a platform for discussing and identifying key corruption challenges in Ireland. The role of the ethics framework in promoting accountability and deterrence was also a central focus. The workshop concluded with positive feedback on the diverse stakeholder participation and the value of the World Café format for fostering meaningful discussions.