Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, thank Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú for proposing we have this discussion in the Seanad. Seanad Éireann should be about promoting the meitheal, as in the case of the organisation Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú leads which has spread its wings throughout the world. Those involved in the charity and voluntary sector have done likewise. Our missionaries have travelled all over the world, including to the poorest areas. A nun from County Clare initiated the Aborigine revolution in Australia many years ago. The meitheal tradition of Irish people is profound.

The charity sector experienced a difficult period for a couple of years following the worthwhile and important investigation carried out by the Committee of Public Accounts. It is now stronger as a result of that experience. There must be accountability in it and all elements of society, including politics. Last Friday I had the great privilege of officially opening a research centre in the University of Limerick, the SOLA project, which offers modules and training courses to develop excellence in the community, voluntary and charity sectors. Many charities are doing phenomenal work, but they do not necessarily have the required administrative structures, training or expertise to be used to full advantage in the areas in which they are engaged. What the SOLA project has already achieved in this regard is phenomenal. One person has completed a PhD on the Garda vetting process. The recommendations made in their thesis could be used to advise on how the Garda vetting process could be improved to ensure it will achieve what it has set out to achieve from all perspectives, including from that of safety in the community and voluntary sectors.

The Charities Act was necessary legislation and I would like to see all elements fully implemented. The principal behind a charities regulator is important. Every €1 collected, whether at a cake sale or in another event, should be properly accounted for because, ultimately, it is money from citizens. The millions of hours spent every week and month by decent Irish people who have huge community spirit in the charities and voluntary sectors have had the profound effect of moving towards the creation of a more equal society. We do not yet have an equal society, but it is at least more equal in that people are no longer experiencing hunger. Those who dedicate themselves 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-in and year-out, to these sectors are the unsung heroes of the country.Some do an hour or a day a week, while others operate on a full-time basis. Thousands of fit and healthy retired people are working on a voluntary basis in our charities every week. The meals on wheels service which started in Dublin but which has spread right across the country delivers hot meals to older people. These meals are delivered by decent, caring volunteers who seldom look for recognition. They are just happy to know they have an impact on the lives of others.

As part of the Oireachtas and as we celebrate the decade of commemorations and approach the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising 1916, the Seanad has a role to play. We must partner and support our charities and provide them with a forum for discourse. We have the facility to invite them to the Oireachtas and to engage with and listen to them, let them tell their stories, let them reflect on their experiences and allow us consider how our great State can partner with them in all-party, non-political way. The Seanad should grasp the opportunity to be involved in these voluntary, community, administrative and cultural areas. Perhaps it will not happen in the lifetime of this Seanad but it could become a theme for the next term to consider how we can equip, support, engage with and facilitate our charity and voluntary sector.

I commend Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú and all of the Members who cared enough about this issue to come in and speak on it this evening. The topic was not part of our schedule, but there was unanimous agreement that we should have these statements on this extremely important issue.