Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús, ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá leis an Senator Lawless. His contribution was uplifting. He is a prime example of a young man who headed off to the USA and made a great success of himself. "You reap what you sow" is an adage that can be used in respect of him.

I wish to address the charity sector. Unfortunately, the Console controversy has done the sector untold damage. For volunteers and contributors, it was sad news. I trust that the Charities Act 2009 will address governance and management issues in that regard. It is estimated that Ireland has approximately 7,000 charities, which contribute approximately €500 million each year to worthy causes. Every Senator present knows of charities and organisations in every parish and town throughout the country, from Tidy Towns to residents and sports groups. We are very fortunate to have so many.

Many of these bodies have expressed to me a difficulty with the amount of red tape and management that are necessary if even a simple residents' association is to conduct its business. Some struggle for funding sufficient to cover their annual insurance costs. In many cases, red tape is acting as a deterrent. They have voiced their frustration in this regard. In most groups or organisations, it is just one or two people who are putting their shoulders to the wheel. Only for them, our society would be lost. I do not know whether anything can be done to assist such small organisations in terms of the administration and governance tasks that are rightly required of them, but perhaps we might examine the matter. Will the Leader ask the Minister to determine whether they can be given assistance?