Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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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.

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I will take the opportunity, and it is very relevant to the Deputy's question, to acknowledge the fact that this is this is Charity Trustees' Week. It is a week of acknowledging and recognising the efforts of over 76,000 volunteers who are trustees of Ireland's 11,500 registered charities. There is an extensive calendar of events this week organised in partnership with Boardmatch Ireland, Carmichael, the Charities Institute Ireland, Dóchas, Pobal, Volunteer Ireland and The Wheel. As well as celebrating the work of charity trustees, this week's events are designed to provide support and insights to help trustees fulfil their roles and responsibilities, which is also a focus of the forthcoming charities Bill. The events are open to members of the public who want to learn more about the important role of charity trustees in Ireland's charities and how they can get involved. A key event as part of this week is the Good Governance Awards, organised by Carmichael. These awards seek to acknowledge, encourage and promote good governance practices in the area of annual reports and other areas of good governance practice and to support and encourage the non-profit sector to use its annual reports and financial statements to showcase its embracement of, and adherence to, good governance.

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I echo the Deputy's sentiments, thanks and acknowledgement of the work of trustees. With this Bill coming forward, we are seeking to create an environment where trustees feel assured as they are carrying our their duties and where people are willing and confident to volunteer to become trustees in the first instance. It will further enhance and empower both existing and potential trustees by giving greater clarity in respect of roles and responsibilities. In many cases, the Bill will ease the administrative burden on smaller charities. The general scheme contains a number of amendments related to charity trustee duties. It is very important to distinguish and clarify that these are not new or additional duties. They are a statement of the duties to which charity trustees are already subject under common law. By including them in statute, the regulator can raise awareness among charity trustees and achieve greater compliance by reference to the law. In the week that it is, I acknowledge and thank all the trustees across the country for their work, which often goes unacknowledged and unseen.