Results 1,161-1,180 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: The amendment emerges from a desire to ensure that the new regulatory regime operates in an efficient way, allowing for the sharing or pooling of resources where possible to ensure value for money and to avoid unnecessary duplication. In this context, it is recognised that there is already in existence a number of appeals structures across several regulatory regimes and that it may be...

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: During the passage of the Bill through both Houses I noticed there is great appreciation of the vital role that trustees play in the operation of charities. I am also aware of the need to protect the interests of trustees of charities. I wish to ensure that they are not made unfairly liable for commitments they enter into in good faith on behalf of charities. I also wish to ensure that...

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: In the legislation there are two specific aspects to cover regarding the welfare of trustees. The concern was raised that trustees could not leave themselves exposed and liable. There is the option of insurance to indemnify them but there is also this new section which relates to trustees who have acted honestly, reasonably and in good faith to ensure that they would not be liable.

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: These amendments are redrafting and technical amendments, consequential upon each other, that are being inserted on the basis of legal advice. The purpose of the amendments is to clarify that the provisions of the Bill do not apply to begging or receiving alms by individuals.

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: The Bill is designed to enhance the security of both cash and non-cash collections and thus bolster public confidence. To this end, the Bill provided that cash collectors must use a sealed box. This was intended to address the open bucket method, which can give rise to concerns about the security of the collection. However, this gives rise to concerns in the charity sector that were...

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: I thank Deputy Ring. In fairness, it was he who initially brought the matter to my attention and I am glad to have been able to deal with it.

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: I move amendment No. 1 to Seanad amendment No. 71: Section 91: In paragraph (d), to delete all words after "a collection box shall" and substitute the following: "(i) in the case of a cash collection on behalf of a charitable organisation, bear the name and registered number of the charitable organisation on behalf of which the collection is being made, and (ii) in the case of a cash...

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: I consider it key to this legislation that organisations that are not charitable in nature should be prevented from presenting themselves to the public as charitable. I want to be sure that donors to charity can be sure that their donation for the benefit of a good cause is not diverted for personal profit. In this context I am very aware of the disquiet that both Deputies and Senators have...

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: I acknowledge that Deputy Ring highlighted this on a number of occasions, as did many other Deputies. When the Charities Bill was first mooted, every Deputy was aware of issues related to mass cards, the scams that go on and the malpractice. It did not prove easy to effect this change. If it had, we would have accepted amendments earlier. I am not a legal person, but this Bill, and this...

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: I am very conscious that the new charities regulatory authority will face significant challenges. In addition to its broad regulatory and supportive role, the new authority will also be taking on the complex functions of the Office of Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland, which is to be dissolved. For this reason the new authority must be able to draw on a wide...

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: I know the Deputy will not divide the House, but on a point of clarification, as I said in the Seanad, this is an enabling measure which says the authority could comprise as many as 20 members. That does not mean that it will. It would be remiss of us not to have that provision and have to come back with further legislation. However, it is not the intention that the authority will...

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: This has been complex legislation. We are trying to regulate a system that has been around for a long time and obviously are trying to maintain confidence in the charity sector, with transparency and so forth, without adding undue burden. It is in that context that we realised at an early stage there would be a requirement for a mandatory review in five years' time. It has proven to be...

Charities Bill 2007: From the Seanad (Resumed) (11 Feb 2009)

John Curran: We have enhanced the Bill to a considerable extent. Having to come back here with 83 amendments sounds an enormous task, but that was because of the spirit of co-operation. It is somewhat unusual to have so many of our own amendments, but that was to try and accommodate people, as far as possible. The Bill we have passed here today has improved as a result of those changes.

Written Answers — Charities Regulation: Charities Regulation (12 Feb 2009)

John Curran: The practice of collecting goods, and particularly clothing, door-to-door, supposedly for charitable purposes, is an issue of concern. I am particularly concerned in relation to certain collectors of clothing and bric-a-brac who convey the impression in their promotional literature that they are a charity, when this may not actually be the case. This may lead some people to donate to such...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (17 Feb 2009)

John Curran: As the Deputy will be aware, the Dial-to-Stop Drug Dealing Campaign was officially launched on 30 September 2008. The first phase was ran across five Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces areas with funding being provided by my Department (€100,000) and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (€50,000). As highlighted during the launch, the confidential number used in the...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (17 Feb 2009)

John Curran: I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 333 together. Work on the development of the new National Drugs Strategy to cover the period 2009 — 2016 has been ongoing in my Department throughout 2008 and is continuing as a priority in 2009. The Steering Group, established to develop proposals and to make recommendations to me on the new Strategy, is chaired by my Department and is meeting...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (17 Feb 2009)

John Curran: The Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces report to the National Drugs Strategy Team (NDST), which is a cross-Departmental body which operates under the aegis of my Department. In addition, a member of the Team acts as liaison person on each of the Task Forces. The NDST reports to my Department and to the Inter-departmental Group on Drugs (IDG), which I chair. The IDG reports, through my...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

John Curran: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Members of the House for affording me this early opportunity to return to the House on this technical matter relating to the Charities Bill 2007. I will set out briefly why it is necessary, on legal advice, to make a further amendment in the Dáil to the Government amendment originally approved by this House. As Members might be aware, the Street and House to...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

John Curran: The motion before the House tonight pertained to a technical amendment. The Bill formerly put an onus on non-charities to display a charitable number, which simply could not be done. The amendment regularises an anomaly that existed in the Bill. The evening would not have been complete without the intervention of Senator Norris. He raised a point in regard to the size of the print. He is...

Seanad: Charities Bill 2007: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

John Curran: The provision states: "in a prominent and clearly legible manner" but it does not specify the size.