David Norris (Independent)

It was no problem whatever. I know how terribly important it is. This is a question of change and of being able to give change when using a sealed box. The Minister of State will consider this issue.

Another matter, which also was mentioned by Senator Buttimer, was raised by the Respond housing agency. It pertains to the withdrawal of previously agreed State funding, thereby leaving an affected organisation with a hole in its funds for which it could be found liable. This matter must be addressed.

I refer to the question of sport, which is beneficial to the community. While some organisations, such as the GAA, receive enormous sums of money, they do a very good job and it is important in respect of the promotion of health. It is a primary vehicle for active citizenship and their exclusion from this legislation also may exclude them from access to philanthropy or grants administered by the Irish Sports Council and will deprive them of a certain level of legitimacy. A reply to the effect that a separate regime is provided under tax legislation for sport and so on would be inadequate. Under section 41 of the Finance Act 2002, tax relief is restrictive in that it is only available on donations made to certain sports bodies and on funding of capital projects that have ministerial approval. One could find oneself in the ludicrous situation of having money for a sports hall but none for a boxing coach and so on.

While these are important points, they are not half as important as the inclusion of human rights. The Minister of State is a decent and humane man whose heart is in the right place. His party is urging him to do this. Every single element of the House and all the relevant organisations are asking for it. I will use this opportunity to ask him to do the decent thing, which is his instinct.