I cast no reflection on the Comptroller and Auditor General, I merely said that there is a dispute about the figures he produced. As there is no registration or accounting system in place it is difficult to calculate the figures accurately.
I am aware that it is possible to set up any type of charity. The Costello Commission report recommends that the legislation should propose a system of registration and that applicants should apply to the Commissioners for Charitable Donations and Bequests if the amount raised is more than £50,000 per annum and to the Garda if it is less than that figure. They are suggesting a registration, reporting and accounting system, for which there is a need, and which will be implemented.
Deputy Mitchell asked me also whether draft legislative proposals accompanied the Costello report which would make it easier to introduce the legislation more or less straight away. Of course, it would be very easy to introduce the legislation if the Government agreed to accept the report of the Costello Commission in its entirely. That report contains a number of controversial proposals with which I am not arguing. The objectives of the Costello Commission might be set in another way. In particular I have views on the Street and House to House Collections Act, 1962. The Costello report is being studied in the Department and legislative proposals will follow. The Government will meet its commitment to introducing legislation to transform the law on charities.