Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, who is witnessing a very interesting and stimulating debate. In fact, I would not call it a debate but a discussion. In many ways, it is a pity the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, could not find the two hours in his schedule to listen to all of the contributions because those speaking in this House speak with enormous credibility on this issue. I look across at Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú and consider the voluntary work he has done for 40 years, as well as the very valuable work Senator John Crown is doing with his cancer research charity. Of course, Senators Jillian van Turnhout, Katherine Zappone and Mary Ann O'Brien also bring a wealth of experience to voluntary and charitable work. The House has enormous credibility in this regard.

Like many others, I was very troubled by what I saw on the "Prime Time Investigates" programme on the systematic raiding of charity clothes bins throughout the country. One criminal gang is making serious money and in one seven day period robbed 800 clothes bins and exported multiple 40 ft. container loads of clothes. In donating their clothes people sincerely believe they are going to help the underprivileged. Many of the clothes donated could have remained within their families, but they felt the right thing to do was to donate them because of the added value they brought to charities.

I commend the previous Government for the 2009 Charities Act. At the time it was going through the Houses, I remember following it with great interest because it was badly needed. We all see church gate collections and even that old concept is one I believe needs to be tightened, as do other bucket collections. When one sees the name and number of a charity, one should be able to check with ease whether it is bona fide without this being cumbersome or difficult. The pending introduction of the register of charities is overdue and I agree with Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú that it will save money in the long run. It will save the money of hard-pressed citizens who are contributing money that, in many cases, they could do with keeping themselves but, because of the generous nature of the society in which we live, they instead donate to people they believe are in greater need. There is a need for accountability and transparency, particularly as we are a modern society which considers it does its business in an up-front and appropriate way.

If one was to try to compare the charity world in terms of the absolute accountability rightly expected in the world of politics, unfortunately, one does not mirror the other. There is much greater accountability and transparency in politics than within the charities sector. This time last year the HSE requested that charities which it was co-funding declare the bonuses paid to their chief executives, but they refused to so because the bonuses were paid from charitable contributions. However, the money is still coming from the same people - the people of Ireland - whether by way of taxes or charitable contributions. I firmly believe we need far more transparent accounting within the charities structure. What the chief executives of registered charities are being paid in salaries, bonuses, expenses, pension contributions and perks should be freely available information. It is expected in public bodies and politics and should also be expected in charities. These are not private individuals, corporations or sole traders. They are de facto public servants because they are being funded by the public. It makes absolute sense that this should happen.

To be frank, it is regrettable that vast swathes of the Charities Act have not been implemented to date. I commend the Minister's bona fides in coming into the House and not opposing what I consider to be a very impressive motion. However, we need a timeframe. I welcome the commitments made. I do not believe resources are really an issue because this will save money and, therefore, it is an investment - it is giving with one hand and getting back from two. We are a generous nation and, per head of population, probably give more than people in any other country. I point to the many missionaries from this country who have gone abroad for many decades and the tireless and very generous contribution they have made to the Third World, as well as the many millions of euro sent from this country to the Third World. The people of Ireland would certainly regard it as money well spent if the various elements of the Charities Act were implemented.

I genuinely salute the great voluntary and charitable efforts being made by the various Members of the House. They do it proud in what they do.