Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

I move amendment No. 30:

In page 26, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:

"(2) A once-off spontaneous collection to meet the needs of a specific community or personal tragedy or similar event which involves fundraising of not more than €50,000 over a period of not more than three months shall not require to be registered under this Act.".

I recently had a poignant example of what Deputy Wall intended in submitting the amendment on behalf of the Labour Party when the house of an elderly neighbour caught fire. A local community response was instigated and a number or residents went around from door to door to collect money to replace cookers and beds affected by smoke damage and to find an alternative house for the neighbour to rent. One could describe that as an act of neighbourliness or an act of charity. Under the proposed legislation, it would be described as an act of charity because money was collected for a specific purpose within a specific period that arose from a moment of need.

If the amendment is not accepted, a situation could arise under the requirements of the charities legislation that would prevent those neighbours who took that positive step from acting in the way they did. I worked in the voluntary sector for a number of years and I am aware that regulation sometimes inhibits organic, positive community actions. The amendment tabled by Deputy Wall provides for localised flexibility that would allow communities to take positive action in their areas to help people out on a one-off basis. I urge the Minister to support the amendment.

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