The nature of much public business, such as procurement, planning, grant administration and regulatory functions, carries an inherent risk of bribery and corruption. While the risk in Northern Ireland may be considered low, it is ever present and should not be under-estimated. Complacency carries its own dangers and raising awareness is key.
It is essential that public officials and elected representatives are aware of their responsibilities in countering the risk of bribery and corruption as they undertake their duties and that all public sector organisations embed the principles of good practice. The Northern Ireland Audit Office’s guide will help organisations, members and officials to identify how bribery and corruption may occur, highlight the key risk areas and provide advice on how the risks to both the organisation and the individual can be countered.