Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I agree with Deputy Ciarán Lynch. He is correct in what he said. I have said many times in this debate that Irish people are generous. One aspect that upsets me and also elderly people is the abuse by some people who collect money on behalf of charities or for some other purpose.

Something must be done to stop these people. One cannot go shopping on a Saturday or walk down a main street without people trying to give one something and exerting pressure on one to donate money. There are very good charities such as those in the social services sector, St. Vincent de Paul and other such charities that have an annual collection. They organise a collection on a Sunday morning and their members collect outside the churches. People have a choice. If they want to go into mass and if they want to subscribe, they can, and if they do not, they can walk away. However, certain people collecting for charities on the streets are not very respectful of elderly people. They put pressure on them to try to make them subscribe to their charity.

I am glad that at last this legislation will deal with this issue. I will speak on this point at the end of this debate. Many people are collecting for charities, but the charity for which they collect is themselves. No charity ever sees some of the money they collect. The people concerned will soon be frightened about making such collections. If this legislation is passed through this House and the Seanad, it would be money well spent if the Department advertised its enactment to bring it to the attention of the general public. Advertisements should be placed in local newspapers advising people that it has been passed by the Oireachtas, what it is about and urging them to ask individuals collecting for charities if they are registered, have a permit and for whom they are collecting. It would be a worthwhile exercise.

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