The inspection will focus on the effectiveness of gardaí at preventing, detecting and mitigating against internal corruption.

Specifically, the terms of reference will assess the effectiveness of the Garda Síochána in relation to international standards and practices and the relevant factors affecting the following:

• Strategy and Governance – in terms of the identification and management of risk, internal and external oversight, and the current anti-corruption architecture and strategy.
• Building Organisational Resilience Against Corruption – in terms of selection, vetting, leadership and supervision, physical and systems security and procurement.
• Enhancing Professional Integrity – in terms of ethics and integrity training, organisational registers and disclosures, substance testing, transparent and ethical decision making, professional standards, and maintaining professional boundaries.
• Identifying and Investigating Corruption – in terms of protected and confidential disclosures, intelligence, investigation, regulation and information sharing.
• Reducing the Impact of Corruption – in terms of demonstrating an effective response to reports of corruption and organisational learning.

For the purposes of this inspection, the Inspectorate will rely on the following commonly accepted definition of corruption used by a number of Government agencies, departments and commercial entities within Ireland: “Corruption is an abuse of a position of trust in order to gain an undue advantage”.

Chief Inspector Mark Toland said there is “no doubt that the overwhelming majority of Garda members and staff are honest, professional and committed to the values outlined in the Garda Code of Ethics”.

However, he said, the inspection “will provide an independent forwarded looking report on the effectiveness of the Garda Síochána at preventing, detecting, and mitigating against internal corruption”.

Mr Toland added: “This will complement the ongoing work of the Garda Commissioner in putting in place the processes to prevent and tackle corruption within the Garda Síochána.”

The inspection is headed up by Deputy Chief Inspector Hugh Hume and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.