Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As I have informed the House on a number of occasions, reform of the law relating to charities will be brought forward in accordance with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government. Given that the charities sector has never been regulated in this country since the foundation of the State, moves towards regulation of the sector have only recently begun to be taken following the establishment of my Department in June 2002, and the draft legislation will be very substantial in size, as it will involve statute law revision and restatement in addition to the new legislative provisions to regulate the charities sector, the Deputy's comments regarding both an ongoing delay and resultant difficulties for the charities sector are not accepted.

We have a unique opportunity to put in place a modern statutory framework for charities. The legislation under preparation in my Department will be designed to meet the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, the public good, and the needs of the sector. While, as I recently informed the House, 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, I can assure the Deputy that work on preparation of the draft legislation is proceeding as speedily as possible and that it continues to be given high priority within my Department.