John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

This amendment reflects an amendment that was submitted by Deputy Wall for consideration on Committee Stage in the Dáil. Deputy Higgins also raised concerns on this matter in the Dáil. An undertaking was given by my predecessor, the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Carey, on Committee Stage in the Dáil, to reflect on the issue raised in Deputy Wall's amendment. Having since consulted with my legal advisers, it is accepted that there is considerable merit in the principle of the proposal that nominally religious organisations which are motivated by profit, abuse their members or use inappropriate psychological techniques in retaining or recruiting new members should not be granted the privilege of charitable status.

While I cannot accept the wording of amendment No. 13, I offer a firm commitment to propose an amendment on Report Stage, the wording of which is being developed in consultation with the Attorney General, which will achieve the same goal. I thank Deputies Wall and Higgins and Senators Hannigan, Alex White, McCarthy, Prendergast and Kelly for their constructive and helpful input in formulating this amendment.