Results 5,901-5,920 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I recognise that this matter was raised on both Second and Committee Stages. It has been considered. It is not an easy area with which to deal and has proved somewhat complex. Based on the legal advice we received, I believe the amendment as tabled is a good way to achieve what we set out to do. Section 2(1) states that "a political party, or a body, the principal object of which is to...

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

John Curran: It would be unfair for me to say I will review the matter in the Seanad because it has been raised on both Second and Committee Stages. It has been considered and the amendment as presented today is a good outcome and is based on the legal advice available.

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I move amendment No. 8: In page 9, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following: "(iii) contrary to public policy,". The Government is proposing amendments Nos. 8 and 47 on the basis of legal advice. The Bill already provides for the automatic exclusion of certain categories of organisations, including bodies engaged in illegal activities. The advice provided is that there are other...

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

John Curran: While acknowledging the point made by Deputy Wall, I have consulted on the matter with the legal advisors in the Office of the Attorney General. I understand that amendments Nos. 9 and 48 are not necessary as it is already implicit in the Bill that organisations that support terrorism or terrorist activities anywhere shall be excluded bodies for the purpose of the Bill. Consequently, we...

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I move amendment No. 11: In page 10, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: ""prescribed" means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister;". This is purely a technical amendment proposed on the advice of the Office of the Attorney General.

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I move amendment No. 12: In page 10, to delete lines 18 and 19 and substitute the following: ""registered charitable organisation" means— (a) a charitable organisation that is registered in the register, or (b) a charitable organisation that, by virtue of section 39, is deemed to be registered in the register;". The Government proposes a technical amendment, No. 12, on the basis of legal...

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I will not delay on these and I thank the Deputies for their comments. The provisions in these amendments are very significant for ordinary charities. One of their concerns was that on the first day there would be a backlog that could not be dealt with in an efficient and timely manner. There were also concerns from smaller charities in particular that there would be an unnecessary burden...

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Nov 2008)

John Curran: I move amendment No. 13: In page 10, line 35, to delete "he" and substitute "he or she". This is a purely technical amendment for the purpose of clarity.

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (4 Nov 2008)

John Curran: As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for youth affairs currently resides in the Department of Education and Science. However, earlier this year, the Taoiseach announced that responsibility for youth affairs was transferring to the newly formed Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMYCA). It was also announced that the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (30 Oct 2008)

John Curran: A review of the pilot programme of funding to volunteers centres is currently ongoing in my Department. At the end of that process, consideration will be given to requests for funding from a number of centres, including Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, in the context of monies available in 2009.

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (29 Oct 2008)

John Curran: On the matter of audit and tax clearance certificates, registration with Revenue always remains a separate matter for the Revenue Commissioners. This amendment does not change that obligation in any way. It will be required. The changes proposed for the EU-registered charities impose an obligation for each of them to have a place of residence in the State. Revenue currently requires all...

Charities Bill 2007: Order for Report Stage (29 Oct 2008)

John Curran: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (29 Oct 2008)

John Curran: I move amendment No. 1: In page 8, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: ""body" includes an individual;". This technical amendment is proposed on the basis of legal advice. It clarifies that all types of charitable organisations, including individuals operating as charities, are covered by the Act.

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (29 Oct 2008)

John Curran: This is a technical amendment. It recognises that many charities are quite small and may consist of just a single individual.

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (29 Oct 2008)

John Curran: The legislation recognises the situation as it currently pertains. A single individual can be a trustee of a charity. The issues raised by the Deputy about accountability are further dealt with at other points in the legislation. I refer to annual reporting and so forth which would pick up on those issues, irrespective or whether it is an individual or a group. This is purely a technical...

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (29 Oct 2008)

John Curran: I move amendment No. 2: In page 8, line 12, to delete "that applies" and substitute the following: "that, under its constitution, is required to apply". Reflecting on the existing wording, it was noted that a scenario where, for example, a charity was unwittingly the victim of internal fraud by an employee or trustee and some of the property of the charity was being applied for the personal...

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (29 Oct 2008)

John Curran: I move amendment No. 3: In page 8, line 24, to delete "paid or". This is a technical amendment to section 2 of the Bill for the purpose of clarity in which the phrase, "paid or" is not considered necessary on the basis of legal advice. The amendment helps to clarify the definition of charitable organisation.

Charities Bill 2007: Report Stage (29 Oct 2008)

John Curran: I move amendment No. 4: In page 9, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: ""EEA Agreement" has the same meaning as it has in the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993; "EEA state" means— (a) a member state of the European Communities (other than the State), or (b) a state (other than a member state of the European Communities) that is a contracting party to the EEA Agreement....

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (23 Oct 2008)

John Curran: Capital funding of nearly €1.8m for a community facility, in the area referred to by the Deputy, was approved in 1998 and 2001 under the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF). Of this, over €5,000 was drawn down in 2003 for initial architectural fees. As the Deputy may be aware, the facility is linked to the broader regeneration of the particular area in Dublin 7. Following...

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (22 Oct 2008)

John Curran: The Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation made a series of recommendations for the development of a comprehensive rehabilitation pillar under the National Drugs Strategy. As agreed by the Working Group, the HSE is taking the lead role in this area. In this context, I understand that the post of Senior Rehabilitation Co-ordinator will shortly be filled by the HSE. In addition,...