Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

Does the Minister of State accept that the issue of charities regulation is a major public concern and that people demand accountability, openness and transparency? Many charities appear to be project-driven. Does he also accept that the issues of trust and how charities spend their income from the public is a priority?

Does the Minister of State agree that members of the public demand that the money they give to Third World charities is spent on the most needy? Does he accept there is a role for him in rooting out fraud in charities and ensuring that money is spent on those most in need? The Minister of State replied that he did not know what exactly is going on in charities. Is it not part of his responsibility to know that, especially when taxpayers donate significant sums of money to charities every year?

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