Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and compliment the Labour Party Senators on tabling this motion because it gives us an opportunity to express our appreciation to the charities sector. The 2009 Act should be viewed in a positive way. If one studies the sections of the Act it is exceptionally clear that an effort is being made to preserve the good name of the charities sector. It is also clear that existing charities will automatically be able to go onto the register. At the same time it is clear in the legislation that smaller charities that might wish to register will not be overawed or daunted by documentation. All of those messages are particularly important in case the message is going out in some way that we are endeavouring to undermine or make more difficult the work of charitable organisations in this country. It is clear that this country has a particularly proud record when it comes to responding generously to various causes. Good causes are exceptionally prevalent, yet each time we hear of a new charity, requirement or necessity whether at home or abroad, on a per capita basis this country must be top of the league in terms of donations.
If we are fair to the organisations that currently exist - it is particularly true and probably amplified in many ways at present - the charitable organisations are the reserve troops in a time of urgency and necessity in combatting the effects of poverty and other issues. One can only surmise and imagine - we all know what the answer would be - what Irish life would be like and also what the terrible emergencies that exist internationally would be like if we did not have those same organisations who take up the challenge on our behalf.

I do not know how other people feel but those of us who have some little bit of finance to spare in our lives always feel grateful to the charities for being there to accept our contribution and being able to use it in a professional and direct way. We wonder how we ourselves might do this. Would it be a matter of giving some money to a person on the street who needs it? I will not be sanctimonious and say we should not do that but the important thing is that when there is an organisation in place to take one's contribution, one that is accountable and held responsible for its work, then we feel comfortable. In many ways it motivates us to give further contributions when necessary.

I regard today's debate as a good news story. Many of us have to sit through all the different debates in the House and listen to the topical issues that arise on the Order of Business. It takes great strength of character to overcome the sense of negativity and defeatism which comes out of those debates, although I do not suggest they should not take place - of course they must. However, this is a good news story, because legislation would not have been needed in 2009 if it were not for the proliferation that had taken place in the charities sector. One certainly could not point a finger at 99% of them. It only takes one, however, to dilute the real charitable work in this country. The public are made aware of this when some issue or other occurs. I am not thinking of any particular organisation or incident but when one hears something negative it makes one pause a little in regard to the contributions one makes. Such cases are few and far between, but are most unfair to the vast majority of charities that do their work in the right spirit and with a sense of professionalism, accountability and responsibility. It is most unfair when anybody detracts or distracts from that work. That was the basis of the legislation, which may have sent a kind of ripple through the entire sector - such was the feeling I got at the time. Having taken part in the debate when the legislation was introduced, I did not believe there was any need for alarm bells, because I knew that one had to study each section of the legislation and look at it in its entirety in order to see that ultimately it would help the charity sector in this country.

It is important that another message goes along with this legislation, namely, that the State values the work being done by the charity sector. I am always amazed at the work being done by charitable organisations outside the country and at what they have to go through and put up with. When the former President, Mary Robinson, visited one of the stricken countries her emotion was overwhelming. At the same time, for the people going abroad who do that work on the ground all the time, not only is it emotionally draining, but there is also danger involved. Tonight, because the Labour Party Senators have tabled this motion, we are able to say to this sector that we appreciate its work and want to see its workers feeling comfortable and confident in regard to the involvement of the State. In addition to the legislation, which has its own aim of regulation, the State should take any opportunity it finds to make the work of those organisations easier and should give whatever support it can.