Legislation aimed at strengthening Garda powers when investigating white-collar crime and legally protecting those who turn whistleblower comes into operation today.
Key provisions in the new laws seek to bolster the hand of gardaí when a witness is unwilling to attend Garda interviews or supply information like financial records. Such uncooperative behaviour can seriously hamper or derail the progress of an investigation (Irish Times).
This new legislation is obviously in response to the current investigation into Anglo Irish Bank and other financial institutions.
My first reaction?
Stand by for an announcement from an apparently disappointed minister telling us that, unfortunately, the new law cannot be applied retrospectively.