Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

10 o’clock

Thank you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, and I congratulate you on your recent appointment. I thank the Members for raising this issue. It is not an overstatement to say that the people have been left reeling from the stunning revelations of greed, incompetence, irresponsibility and, frankly, selfishness at Console and some other charitable organisations active in Ireland. Unfortunately, the reputations of the many thousands of volunteers, counsellors and the charity sector as a whole have been besmirched. The important threads of generosity and selflessness woven through our social fabric have been abruptly cut. Although they will be repaired in time, the knots will always remain. Perhaps this is no bad thing as it will serve to remind us of the importance of vigilance and good governance in the charity sector.

As the Minister reiterated in the House this evening, the regulation of the charities sector is a priority for this Government. It is this above all that will restore faith and trust in the ethical nature and caring purposes of charitable organisations. It is precisely because the work they do is so essential to the overall good of our society as well as to the individuals they assist that it must be managed properly. Charities help to ensure that the homeless are fed and clothed and have access to health care. Charities help to ensure that the loneliest and most vulnerable of our citizens have someone to talk to about their experiences. Charities help to ensure that the people support each other and remember the importance of doing so.

Unfortunately, not every charitable organisation has been run with efficiency, effectiveness and ethical standards as their watchwords. The establishment of the Charities Regulatory Authority and the strengthening of the tools at its disposal to encourage compliance with the Charities Act will help to change that, as those in the charity sector will be aware that the expectations of the public and the authorities have changed. As the Minister said, once Part 4 of the Charities Act commences on 5 September, the regulator will have new investigatory and enforcement powers. By the end of the year, we expect that it will have the necessary regulatory specialist staff required to achieve its goals as well.

Having said that, I believe is it is important to emphasise the need for everyone in society to play his or her part in ensuring the work of the charitable sector remains above suspicion and reproach. If any member of the public or any organisation has any evidence of breaches of the law in respect of charities, then this information should be passed on to the relevant authorities, either An Garda Síochána or the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, depending on the evidence in question. Suspected criminal activity should be reported to the Garda. Co-operation between the State agencies involved in the charitable sector is essential to share information and identify any issues with the potential to further destabilise the sector. A multi-agency approach will be necessary. This is already being done at present but it will be enhanced in future and that will be an important development.

I believe that the Charities Regulatory Authority is ready, willing and able to reassure the many concerned and well-motivated people working and volunteering in the sector as well as those donating to charitable organisations about the bona fides of such organisations and their compliance with the terms of the Charities Act 2009. All State agencies providing funding to the charity sector must ensure funds are properly managed.

There are many fine charitable organisations working in Ireland today. The regulation of the sector is necessary and long overdue and we must protect it. It takes time to implement change but there is a clear focus on the charity sector at the moment. This is a good thing and it will benefit all of us in the long run.

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