Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

For the Deputy’s information, the Charities Act was enacted in February 2009 by the former Administration but no regulator was appointed. When the Charities Bill was published in 2007, the then Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Pat Carey, said:

... the Government is committed to protecting both charitable organisations and the public interest by reforming the law to ensure accountability and to protect against abuse of charitable status and fraud through the Bill ...

While that was a valid comment, it was clear following the appointment of this Government in 2011 that the full implementation of this Act was not possible, given the financial circumstances that applied.

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