Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach faoi dhó agus fearaim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit agus míle buíochas di as a bheith inár measc agus guím Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona di, ar ndóigh. Tá súil agam go mbainfidh sí taitneamh as cibé beagáinín de shaoire a bheidh aici ar an lá sin.

It is now five years since the controversy surrounding charitable and voluntary organisations such as GOAL, Console and the Central Remedial Clinic. As the House might recall, taxpayers' funding that was given to these organisations, as well as funds donated by ordinary citizens, were abused and misappropriated. This behaviour went unchecked due to poor corporate governance, shoddy accountancy practices and the lack of proper oversight by government and particularly the Departments that provided funding. I hoped we had moved beyond that culture. I thought, as I am sure other Senators had thought, that strict governance and accounting conditions now applied before any State funding would be given to voluntary organisations.

I was surprised to read a report recently about an organisation called Transgender Equality Network Ireland, a company limited by guarantee, or TENI.