Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The current legislative programme for my Department relates to the Charities Amendment Bill, 2023, which was published on 22 December 2023, and concluded Stage 2 of the legislative process on 25 January 2024. In addition, there is initial work on amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts .

The Charities Amendment Bill revises and updates the 2009 Charities Act, and is a key step that needs to be implemented in order to allow for the appropriate regulation, particularly financial regulation, of the sector. The aim of the Bill is to improve the ability of the Regulator to conduct its statutory functions, providing greater transparency, clarity and fairness in terms of the regulation of charities. It provides for amendments to existing charity law and delivers on a Programme for Government commitment to ensure that the Charities Regulator has the necessary powers to further build trust and confidence in the management and administration of charities.

Among the reforms included in the Bill are the establishment of a new charitable purpose, the advancement of human rights, and measures to strengthen the Charities Regulator’s powers in relation to the protection of charitable organisations.

It should be noted that while the Bill contains significant reforms, the intention is to ensure, at all times, proportionate regulation of a vital sector of Irish society. I look forward to working with Government colleagues in progressing this Bill in the coming months.

With regard to the amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts, the establishment of a stakeholder group to begin the consultation process for legislative change has been approved by the Minister. This group is currently being convened, and a first meeting of the group is expected to take place shortly.