Ms Helen Martin:

The advancement of religion is a charitable purpose and the Deputy has rightly pointed out that Ireland decided not to have human rights as a charitable purpose. That is absolutely the case. With regard to the advancement of religion, we receive applications from organisations that are religions but even though there is a presumption of public benefit, they go through a rigorous application process in the same way as all other types of charities. I cannot comment on charities that are religious organisations that existed prior to our establishment. They are also on our register but they came onto it along with thousands of other charities because they held a charitable tax exemption. They were entitled to be deemed registered at that time.