Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Hayden's call on the Leader to invite the Minister to the House to discuss the long overdue charities regulation Act. I have been involved in the charity sector for 27 years and have been employed by and acted as a volunteer for many organisations. I was disgusted by the vulgarity demonstrated by the CRC board in the way they abused their corporate governance to fill their back pockets. Like Senator Michael Mullins, I agree that the charity sector has been tarred with the same brush due to their actions. The staff working for credible charities do wonderful things for the less fortunate in society. They have been hurt by the revelations. They too have been questioned when they have delivered their services to the volunteer sector, including those who have raised funds in Ireland and abroad for the various charities.

The charity sector has been shook to its foundation as a result of what happened in the CRC. I have always found that it is the people who have nothing that give the most to charitable organisations and the CRC has broken their trust. I do not want such people to lose trust in the act of charity, particularly at this time of year. They have supported charities for many years and I want them to continue doing so.

I welcome the exit from the troika. Destiny is back in our hands, yet more needs to be done. The Taoiseach has said that the Irish people have made sacrifices. Moving forward is all about attitude.

Wonderful accolades have poured in from people outside Ireland on how well we are progressing. Now it is time for people at home to change their attitude and look to a bright future. The Taoiseach has a persistent vision for a better future for this country and this is the start of it now we are out of the bailout.