By way of background, the recently published Law Society Report on Charity Law is a welcome contribution to the process of reforming this important body of legislation and will be considered in that context. Responsibility for charity regulatory matters, including charitable fundraising, and the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests was transferred to the former Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs on foot of a Government order of 27 July 2001. This decision arose from the recommendations of the White Paper on a framework for supporting voluntary activity and for developing the relationship between the State and the community and voluntary sector, published in September 2000, which took the view that this role would better complement the community brief of the Department. These responsibilities were transferred to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in June last.
The White Paper on supporting voluntary activity also set out the Government's commitment to ensuring the introduction of comprehensive legislation on regulation of charities and charitable fundraising. The work of reviewing the legislation which is currently under way in my Department will be accompanied by broad public consultation on the appropriate regulatory framework and the nature and extent of the legislative reform required.
The then Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs engaged consultants in January 2002 to undertake an examination of aspects of charity law, including a review of the literature on Irish charity law and a study of the regulatory environment in other jurisdictions. I expect the report to be finalised in the coming weeks. It is envisaged that a consultation phase involving widespread public consultation with interested parties will form part of the reform process. To assist in progressing this phase of reform a consultation document will be prepared to encourage public discussion on the nature of the legislative reform required. Proposals for legislative reform in regard to charities and charitable fundraising will be brought forward as soon as possible following completion of the consultation process.