Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As recently as 1 May, we had an all-party agreement on charities. It was not just the Labour Party. The motion recalled that the Charities Act 2009 had been enacted with the aim of supporting and enhancing public trust and confidence. Senator Bacik mentioned an initiative taken by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, but a strange word is used in today's The Irish Times, which quotes the Minister as stating: "It is envisaged that the authority will be established in shadow form." What does this mean? The Government has responded efficiently and creatively in terms of philanthropy and giving but a concern has been raised by the not-for-profit sector and the arts and charity communities.

The Government has responded quite efficiently and creatively to philanthropy and giving, but we have a concern which stems from the not-for-profit, arts, community and charity sectors. For trust and confidence to be maintained we need a charities regulator and, to that end, we require the Charities Act to be completed. There is an element of foot dragging. The Minister conducted a public consultation which concluded on 20 March 2013, so I would like to see what emerged from that process.

According to the 2009 Irish non-profit and knowledge exchange, in Ireland the not-for-profit sector employs in excess of 100,000 people across the community, voluntary, sports and cultural sectors. There are approximately 11,700 organisations, of which 8,000 are registered charities with a turnover of €5.7 billion. This means the not-for-profit sector accounts for 3.25% of national income. We still await an update on the progress of the charities legislation. The word "shadow" concerns me greatly because I think it amounts to foot dragging. I ask the Leader for an update on when we can introduce a charities regulator, as well as implementing the Charities Act for the confidence and benefit of charities. They are seeking these measures to increase trust and transparency. In that way, those who donate money will know where it is going.