Vol. 496 No. 6
391 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that the controlling and monitoring roles relating to charitable organisations are being adequately performed by the charities section of the Charitable Donations and Bequests Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23559/98]
The Office of the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests has no active role under current legislation in respect of controlling or monitoring charities.
However, the Deputy will be aware that I have included in my legislative programme the reform of the law relating to the administration and regulation of charities along the lines of the report of the Committee on Fund-raising Activities for Charitable and other Purposes (the Costello Report), and the subsequent report of the Advisory Group on Charities-Fund-raising Legislation. Both reports include recommendations relating to the regulation of charities and the establishment of a Registration Authority.
While it is not possible to indicate when the text of the general scheme of a Bill in this regard might be ready for submission to Government, work will proceed as quickly as possible in the light of other legislative priorities.
