Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Our charity sector is an important and valued part of Irish society, playing an integral role in the provision of services to our communities. With over 11,500 charities on the Charities Register, the work of the Charities Regulator is also vitally important. The aim of the charities (amendment) Bill is to improve the ability of the regulator to conduct its statutory functions, providing greater transparency, clarity and fairness in the regulation of charities, leading to greater public trust and confidence in the sector. It is important that we strike the right balance between necessary regulation and proportionate governance, ensuring a reasonable and fair approach is at its core.

Further to its publication in April 2022, the general scheme of the Bill underwent pre-legislative scrutiny in the third and fourth quarters of last year. Pre-legislative scrutiny provided a great opportunity to discuss and examine the potential impacts of the proposed Bill. I have considered carefully the recommendations of the committee and have taken into account those areas requiring greater clarification and further consideration. As well as working with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in drafting these amendments, my officials have also continued to work closely with the Charities Regulator and have engaged with counterparts across government and the sector itself. I intend to have a finalised Bill for the consideration of Cabinet in the very near future. It is on my agenda every week to keep the pressure on and it is moving. I hope to be more specific very soon, rather than saying "in the near future". It is in the very near future that I hope this will be going to the Government. I also acknowledge the Deputy's repeated questions on this matter, which I appreciate because it helps us keep the pressure and attention on it.

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