Corruption is a central theme of Irish life and politics and human rights standards are below internationally acceptable levels, according to a report to be published today.
The study of justice and social issues, by an independent social policy consultant, says Ireland has become one of the richest EU countries, as well as one of the most unequal.
The report was commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust as a follow-up to a baseline study nine years ago by the same author, Mr Brian Harvey. The trust operates a funding programme in Ireland and one of the report's aims is to inform its future funding.
The report says the Human Rights Commission may be the "single most important element" in the Belfast Agreement. However, work to establish it was "slow and marred by cronyism".
Tests for the commission include whether it will remain independent, will have a sufficient budget and will act swiftly and efficiently to prevent human rights abuses.
On the issue of ethics in public life, the report states that "corruption is a central theme of Irish life and politics. Ireland is now regarded as one of the more corrupt European states." Ireland is believed to have lost substantial foreign investment because of its international reputation, it adds.
Although tribunals have "done much to determine the nature of corruption, changes to improve the political and administrative system have been minimal." Ready access to justice has never been a reality for people on low incomes, it states, highlighting long delays in the legal aid system.
It highlights the "widening levels of inequality, extraordinarily low levels of investment in public services and a depressing record on environmental protection".
Other criticisms include:
Inadequate treatment of refugees and asylum-seekers;
The lack of a fully independent police complaints procedure and poor safeguards for people in detention;
Difficulties for poor people in getting speedy access to justice and lack of use of alternatives to prison;
The continued operation of emergency legislation, including the non-jury Special Criminal Court;
Insufficient funding for the rights and justice organisations.
"Ireland's standards of human and civil rights are below internationally acceptable levels," it says, adding that it has the second fastest-growing prison population in Europe.
The report recommends greater attention to the work of the Human Rights Commission, adequate resourcing of rights and justice organisations and greater support for bodies working with immigrant populations. It also recommends greater efforts to ensure North-South institutions engage citizens, and not just politicians and administrators.
Mr Harvey said that as well as continuing problems in rights and justice areas, there were "outstanding, untackled and disturbing issues on social inclusion.