Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I concur somewhat with what Senator Norris said, particularly on the integrity of the flag day. In my city of Cork, Share collect in the week leading up to Christmas. On the Friday or Saturday of a St. Patrick's weekend, COPE Foundation collect. We should adhere to the principle that there should be only one flag day per area. That might not be manageable, and I might be shooting myself in the foot saying this given the large number of charities that want to operate and collect. In the context of what Senator Norris referred to, in the cities of Cork, Dublin, Waterford, Galway or Limerick, only one charity collection per day should be allowed. I do not object to charities collecting. I have collected on flag days. It is important those who contribute are recognised as charities.

However, I object to people standing at traffic lights in parts of Dublin and Cork with Squeegee mops and buckets to wash windscreens or selling The Big Issues. I hope, as a consequence of the legislation and greater liaison between the Garda and the new regulatory authority, certain on-street practices, which are detrimental to genuine charities, will be eliminated. As Senator Norris said, they are losing out.