Irish rating improves on anti-corruption index

Ireland's ranking on a global index of least corrupt countries has improved, rising one place to 17th since last year, according to an international body.

Despite the slight improvement in rank, Berlin-based Transparency International said Ireland's international reputation has been damaged recently by weak Government safeguards against corruption.

The 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) covers 180 countries and territories. It ranks countries out of ten according to perceived levels of corruption among public officials and politicians.

Ireland is currently rated  at 7.5, 17 ^thon the list, up from 18th last year and 19th in 2005.

This year's rating is a marked fall since 1995, when ethics legislation was first introduced. Ireland's score in 1995 was 8.57, making it the 11 ^thleast corrupt country out of 41 surveyed.

Ireland's worst-ever rating was in 2002, when it scored 6.9 out of 10, making it 23rd on the list of 102 countries.

Somalia and Myanmar shared the lowest score this year of 1.4. At the other end were Denmark, Finland and New Zealand, prized for fair judiciaries and transparent public finances, with 9.4.

According to TI, Irish businesses are believed to lose around €2 billion a year from economic crime and corruption.

"The new Government has to take greater responsibility for Ireland's image abroad - if only for the effect our country's reputation has on inward investment and our economy," said TI Ireland's chief executive John Devitt. "The best way to do this is by showing the world that we have learned from the past. Unfortunately, recent history shows we haven't learned enough".

Mr Devitt noted that earlier this year the Government trebled the value of loans or gifts that politicians could accept without publicly declaring them.  Only donations over €5079 to parties and €635 to candidates must now be declared to the Standards in Public Office Commission.

TI Ireland also claims that "too little has been done to prevent corruption in the two areas that are subject of current tribunal investigations".