Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom mo chomhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle as a phost nua.

I too am delighted to speak on this motion. Ireland has a proud and noble tradition of helping others. We are known as a nation of people who support others. It troubles me to see this naked plundering and pillaging of charitable organisations by a small cohort of greedy people. As the Minister knows, there are 12,500 registered charities. The majority are doing an excellent job. They are of the people and run by the people. It is not always a case of CEOs, directors of services, and cuts to the services.

I am glad the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy McEntee, is present. I ask the Minister to consider the new organisations that are mushrooming out of the HSE involving people who have worked in the HSE providing care for children with special needs and everyone else. I believe we will be here in a year or ten years examining these areas again. These people seem to know the system and there is much inside-track activity.

Many speakers have alluded to the various aspects of the charitable status legislation and to Part 4 of the 2009 Act. It is disappointing that Part 4 was not implemented. Why does it take so long? Why is there resistance to dealing with this? As I stated, the actions of a few, in Rehab, Saint John of God and most recently in Console, represent the most hapless, disgraceful, despicable plundering of people - the unfortunate people who need services when loved ones lose their lives. It affects the voluntary councils and the volunteers in all the groups.

I am glad the Minister agreed to accept the amendment we intend to move on the smaller charities, such as those concerned with voluntary housing and meals on wheels. The volunteers are of the people and the organisations are run by the people. They are not in it for money or for their own well-being; they are in it to help their communities, to offer support and to deliver services the Government should be delivering but is unable to deliver.

Without the charity sector in Ireland, the country would be a very much poorer place. I appeal to the Tánaiste to act on this motion, compliment those who moved it and to do something to restore the confidence of the people given what has gone on, what should not be going on and what is so reprehensible. The Minister has a wide berth. She should provide for the necessary powers and make the regulators busy and active in regard to what they should be doing.

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