David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of the promised charities legislation; the proposals contained in this legislation; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5820/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, a comprehensive reform of the law relating to charities will be brought forward to regulate the sector for the first time in Ireland. As I informed the House on 14 December 2004, the content of the draft legislation would be likely to reflect the proposals in the Government-approved Consultation Paper on Establishing a Modern Statutory Framework for Charities, which received a broad overall endorsement in the public consultation phase last year.

While it would not be possible at this stage for me to predict with certainty that the best estimate which I gave last year of end 2005 for publication of the draft Bill can be met on the nail, I can assure the Deputy that work on preparation of the draft legislation is proceeding as speedily as possible, and that it is being given priority within my Department. In the context of the overall timeframe, I might also recall that I advised the House on the same occasion last December that the draft legislation would involve statute law revision and restatement, in addition to the new regulatory provisions. Going forward, therefore, we would be looking at a future charities regulation Bill of substance in vision, content and size.