Political interference or abuse of influence in state appointments could be punished by a new crime of nepotism.
A new report has recommended the move as part of a suite of reforms to combat white collar crime and fraud.
The report also says a loophole that means former members of the Oireachtas cannot be investigated for breaches of ethics legislation needs to be closed, while the Standard in Public Office Commission (Sipo) and Gardaí require better resourcing.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said amended legislation, which will not be aimed at TDs who employ family members as staff, is likely to be brought forward next week.
Ms McEntee added that the legislation would not just focus on fraud and crime where money is exchanged, but also where there are other engagements and agreements between parties.
The Minister also confirmed that work is underway to change a law which prohibits the naming of children who have been killed.
It comes in the wake of a court ruling, which found that the law which protects the identities of child victims also applies in cases where the child is deceased.
One of the unintended consequences of the legislation is that it also prevents the child’s killer from being named if a link can be established between the two.
Ms McEntee says proposed changes will also be brought to Government in the coming weeks.
