Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2016
596. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the requirement which his Department is placing on environmental organisations to register as charities will not in any way restrict their abilities to advocate for the policy changes needed to end biodiversity loss, stop climate change and protect human health and the environment. [40183/16]
View answerThe Charities Act 2009, under which the Charities Regulatory Authority was established, falls under the remit of the Minister for Justice and Equality.
It is my understanding that once an organisation promotes charitable purpose(s) only, it is permitted to engage in advocacy, lobbying and/or campaigning work once this work relates directly to furthering these charitable purpose(s). However, I have no function in the decisions relating to the granting of charitable status by the Charities Regulatory Authority.
