Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

I welcome the legislation. As in the case of other legislation, this Bill was slipping through the House under the radar, the manner in which most charity is done. I believe this is informative and important legislation. As stated by Deputy Ring earlier, it is necessary that the content of this legislation be publicised and promoted. We, as Irish people, have a strong tradition of voluntarily donating money to people collecting on the street or of setting up standing orders for payments to charities.

As I said earlier to the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, the biggest donation by Irish people was to the Live Aid concert during the last recession. I do not know whether another Live Aid concert is planned and whether the same will happen again but we are in recession again. Even in times of recession, Irish people give to charity.

The legislation will be sent this evening from this House to the Seanad and will be reviewed in five years time. The Minister, his officials, Deputy Ring and, in particular, my party colleague, Deputy Wall, have done good work in respect of this legislation. The objective and desire, in respect of legislation which passes through this House, is that it will work well. A non-partisan view was taken in regard to this particular legislation which is to the betterment of society. I believe the House has done good work in this regard.

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