Implementation of Charities Act
Shane Ross asks for full implementation of the Charities Act amid concerns about charity governance and abuses; the Tánaiste promises that responses will be circulated.
The Tánaiste will be well aware that the Central Remedial Clinic, CRC, has been raiding the piggy banks of sick children. In view of the revelations about the CRC and other charities, and the bedlam surrounding the charities industry because of the abuses, lack of corporate governance and other faults which are becoming apparent by the day, would the Tánaiste go a little further than just saying the Government will withhold grants? That could hit innocent people. Will he give the House a pledge that the Charities Act 2009 will be fully implemented in 2014? I am specifically requiring that he establish a charities regulator. There would be enough work to keep such a regulator going for two or three years just for a start. Is there any reason why that charities regulator should not, under that Act, be appointed before Christmas?