Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I wish to speak to amendment No. 29. The Minister of State and his officials are well aware of the issue of the scam involving pre-signed mass cards, which are sold in shops. Companies sell mass cards to newsagents, purportedly signed by priests, often missionaries from abroad. I compliment the Irish Missionary Union, particularly Father Moran, on his work on this issue. The cards are sold for varying prices, the average in the shops being €4, while the priests who signed them may not receive anything at all, or may receive just a few cent from the proceeds. In certain known cases, the priest has been dead for a number of years. We are talking about profiteering. People who buy mass cards do so under the assumption that the mass is being said for the deceased person and that the missionaries or priests involved receive some or all of the proceeds. I know from talking to people in the shops that stock these cards that they do believe those selling the cards are a bona fide charity. Thus, there is a problem in this area.

I appreciate it is difficult to find a way to deal with this, but the reasoning behind the amendment is that we need to bring clarity to the area of mass cards in a way that can address the problem with regard to the organisations selling them, who are purporting to be fulfilling a charitable purpose but who are in reality not doing so. I ask the Minister to come back to this on Report Stage.

It is important that we acknowledge the work of the Irish Missionary Union in highlighting this issue. In England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland there are provisions in the charities legislation to cover commercial enterprises engaging in such activities. I look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say on this issue. We need to take into account the fact that such activities are occurring. We could put numerous examples on the record of the House but I will not delay the House in this regard. I hope we can find a way to tighten up matters.