Results 10,481-10,500 of 15,805 for speaker:Michael Ring

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

Michael Ring: We spoke strongly about this matter on Committee Stage. I thought we were given a commitment by the Government that the regulator would be paid for by the State and that under no circumstances would charities pay for the regulator or his or her staff; the State would pick up the tab. I would be disappointed if that were not the case. Charities are doing a job the State is not doing and we...

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

Michael Ring: We do not want it to be like the planning process, whereby the planning authority seeks further information on the day planning permission is expected to be granted. We want people to be dealt with in a reasonable time once information is submitted. When an application is received by the regulator, necessary information should be sought within a very short period rather than at the end of...

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

Michael Ring: We cannot disagree with what the Minister of State is saying but we wanted to ensure that only genuine charities are registered. We do not want people to use a loophole in the law to avoid tax or collect money under false pretences. I welcome and support the provision in this regard. I am concerned about the two month timeframe. There must be rules and regulations and charities should not...

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

Michael Ring: They are technical amendments and I agree with them.

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

Michael Ring: I welcome the Minister of State's last comments. This issue was raised again on Committee Stage and we were very strong about it, particularly in the case of small charities. The less paperwork there is, the easier it is for such charities to operate. What we want is accountability and it is with that the Bill is concerned. We do not need over-regulation but we must have accountability. ...

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

Michael Ring: When the heads of this Bill were drafted originally, the advancement of human rights, social inclusion and social justice were included in the general scheme of the Bill as charitable purposes. However, these references were removed later and this is an issue that is of particular concern to the charity sector. There are concerns that some charities, whose main focus is the prevention of...

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

Michael Ring: I agree with Deputy Higgins. It has proven difficult for the Minister of State to draft wording to address this issue properly. As Deputy Higgins stated, no one wants an organisation that supports a cult over human rights and uses charitable funding other than in the public interest to be a registered charity. While the Minister of State and the Department have tried to draft wording to...

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

Michael Ring: I move amendment No. 21: In page 12, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: "(l) the advancement of human rights, social inclusion, social justice and civic participation.".

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

Michael Ring: Like Deputy Higgins, I tabled an amendment on this matter because the charities are concerned about it. The health board and Pobal are State agencies. Charities are concerned about what will happen to those agencies. As I said on Committee Stage, I had hoped we would have two different bodies——

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

Michael Ring: ——and that the State agencies would not have the same status as charities. The Minister of State said on Committee Stage he would examine this matter. It is not the case that I do not want the HSE or Pobal to be eligible for tax exemption, but I do not want there to be any confusion between genuine charities and State agencies which are under the control of the Minister and the State....

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

Michael Ring: I agree with Deputy Higgins. I tabled an amendment on the matter on Committee Stage. It was the one matter on which we all received considerable lobbying because charities are concerned. Only one word divides us. Even at this stage I ask the Minister of State to reconsider it. Charities are doing a job and if they want to advocate for some kind of policy on a matter that is affecting...

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

Michael Ring: I agree with Deputy Higgins. I ask the Minister of State to give a commitment today that he will review the matter in the Seanad. Otherwise, we will need to oppose it.

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

Michael Ring: I, too, welcome the clarification in respect of "public policy" and "Government policy" and I accept the amendments.

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

Michael Ring: As this is a recommittal, I will not make a long speech. There has been media publicity on this matter and people have concerns. I hope all genuine charities will be transferred. Will the Revenue and the Minister of State's Department keep in constant contact? There have been newspaper articles detailing how some charities were using their status to avoid tax. I know the Revenue...

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

Michael Ring: I hope any charity under investigation will not be put on the register automatically. Any investigation should be completed before the charity is put on the register.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Nov 2008)

Michael Ring: Question 267: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount of money spent in an area of the Health Service Executive (details supplied) for each the past two years. [38327/08]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (4 Nov 2008)

Michael Ring: Question 269: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the annual payment made to a general practitioner for treatment of a patient who has a medical card; if the payment is different in cases in which patients had a medical card prior to reaching 70 years of age. [38333/08]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (4 Nov 2008)

Michael Ring: Question 270: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of medical cards issued to over 70 year olds in each county per year in each of the past 10 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38334/08]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (4 Nov 2008)

Michael Ring: Question 271: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of medical card holders in County Mayo each year for the past ten years. [38335/08]

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (4 Nov 2008)

Michael Ring: Question 279: To ask the Minister for Transport if a review has taken place in relation to bus licences over the past number of years; if changes or a decision have been made in this regard; the situation regarding bus licences; if there are restrictions on bus licences; and if it is an open market. [37861/08]