The scope of economic crime and corruption in Ireland is extensive. It encompasses organised crime, financial fraud and money laundering. For the purposes of this Strategy, human trafficking and drugs trafficking – whilst carried out for monetary gain – are not included whilst the laundering of the proceeds of these crimes do come within its scope. Whilst beyond the scope of this Strategy, important work is being progressed across government on these matters, including in successive action plans to prevent and combat human trafficking and through other partnerships to tackle drugs trafficking. The following Advisory Council descriptions of economic crime and corruption will provide a clearer understanding as to what the Strategy is intended to address, and what falls outside its scope.

The Strategy is structured around five interlocking objectives:

1. Improving the collection, analysis and use of data to identify emerging threats and risks and support evidence-based policymaking;
2. Developing a stronger cross-sectoral approach through enhanced cooperation and information sharing;
3. Ensuring investigators and prosecutors have the specialist skills and tools required to tackle economic crime and corruption effectively;
4. Strengthening Ireland's capacity to seize and confiscate criminal assets; and
5. Promoting prevention through education, public awareness and increased compliance measures.

Among the key recommendations are:

• Developing a systemic approach to collecting and analysing data to support the identification of strategic priorities;
• Establishing enhanced public-private partnerships to better prevent, detect and pursue economic crime;
• Introducing legislation to facilitate private-to-private information sharing;
• Examining options to improve efficiencies in prosecuting economic crime cases, including consideration of deferred prosecution agreements and other non-trial resolution measures;
• Reviewing confiscation provisions under the Criminal Justice Act 1994 and assessing participation in the EU Asset Recovery and Confiscation Directive; and
• Developing coordinated communications and education campaigns to raise awareness of fraud and scams.