Dublin: A new Eurobarometer survey by the European Commission reveals that 63% of Irish people believe corruption is widespread, marking a 6-point increase from last year. Additionally, 23% feel personally affected, though still below the EU average of 30%.
While Ireland ranks mid-range in perceived corruption across the EU, with Greece highest (97%) and Finland lowest (21%), Irish respondents expressed strong opposition to corruption, with 73% calling it unacceptable, the fifth-highest in the EU.
Political parties, elected officials, and planning authorities were seen as the most corrupt sectors. A majority also believe bribery and connections influence public contracts (58%), and corruption hampers fair business competition (66%).
Despite concerns, only 3% of Irish respondents reported firsthand experience or knowledge of bribery, one of the lowest in the EU, indicating that direct encounters with corruption remain rare.
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