Dáil debates
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed).
4:00 pm
Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
I welcome the Minister of State's last comments. This issue was raised again on Committee Stage and we were very strong about it, particularly in the case of small charities. The less paperwork there is, the easier it is for such charities to operate. What we want is accountability and it is with that the Bill is concerned. We do not need over-regulation but we must have accountability.
I am pleased that other Departments and the Minister of State are concerned about this and that these charities will not be required to register with two or three different agencies. The smaller charities do not have the manpower or the resources to do so and the bigger charities do not want all that paperwork either.
I take the Minister at his word. It is important and I have heard him speak clearly on this today. He said that paperwork will be at a minimum and that is what we want. We had a long discussion on the matter on Committee Stage and we do not want to have over-regulation. That is what is going on in this country and people are sick and tired of regulation. There must be a certain amount of it but in this country we are over-regulated. We want accountability.
Regarding dual filing I am glad the Minister of State has spoken to the other Departments and agencies and that this will not be required except in cases where it is very necessary, for instance in respect of tax clearance certificates. That is acceptable.
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