John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I will deal with the latter issue in the next group of amendments concerning sealed boxes, which also includes amendment No. 51 in the name of Senator Buttimer.

Amendments Nos. 43 and 44 aim to allow the Chief Superintendent to refuse a permit, including in circumstances where he is of the view the collection is likely to be undertaken in an inappropriate manner. Members of the public have concerns over methods used by some collectors. It is not right and it does not show the charities in a positive light for collectors to act in a way that upsets the public. That is one of the reasons I am working with the sector to develop non-statutory codes of practice on charitable fund-raising. We are trying to bring order, transparency and regulation to a long-standing activity. It is not my intention to regulate by means of primary legislation, although the Minister has reserve functions. We have dealt with charities in a spirit of partnership and co-operation and if codes of practice address the issues raised by Members, that would be my preferred option. Those discussions will go ahead. Chief Superintendents currently have considerable scope in issuing permits if they feel they will adversely affect the public. The scenarios outlined in the amendments are not necessary because they can refuse permits and, more important, the issues of multiple collections and so on should be dealt with in the codes of practice.