Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Minister, Deputy Pat Carey, was responsible, as Minister of State, for bringing the Charities Act through the House and will recall that I, as Fine Gael spokesperson, and Deputy Wall, as spokesman for the Labour Party, put significant work into the legislation. We had many briefings and met many groups throughout the State whose concerns we conveyed to the Minister. Deputy Wall and I were grateful that he dealt with many of our amendments on Committee Stage. It is now time to develop the process further. We read regularly in the national newspapers about the uncertainty surrounding some of those apparently collecting money and goods for charity. In some cases it has been discovered that money and goods collected are used for other purposes. Irish people are very generous and will always subscribe to worthy causes. We must all be confident that money and other types of donations to charity are used for the purpose indicated.

How many departmental officials are working to progress this legislation? Of the approximately 7,500 charities in operation, how many have thus far been included on the register? Does the Minister have the necessary funding to ensure the provisions of the Act are implemented so we can be sure that people collecting money or other items on behalf of charities are genuine? We do not want any more situations such as those with mass cards and clothing collections where donations were found not to be going to charity.

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