Vol. 409 No. 5
107 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the present Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests; his views on whether the office is adequately staffed in the light of the enormous delays in obtaining decisions; whether any consideration has been given to removing the necessity for the consent of the commissioners in many cases, as has occurred in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The members of the Board of Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests are: The Hon. Mr. A. Denis Pringle, SC (Chairman); The Hon. Mr. James McMahon, SC; Right Rev. Monsignor James Ardle MacMahon, PP, DCL; Oliver D. Gogarty, SC; Peter Donald Maziere Prentice, Solicitor; C. Garrett Walker, FCA; John Astle Garvey; Colm Gaynor, B.C.L., Solicitor; Rev. Canon Charles Trevelyan; Aubrey Carter, MA; The Hon. Mr. Justice Francis D. Murphy; The Hon. Miss Justice Mella Carroll.
In addition to the secretary of the board, the following staff are assigned to the Office of Charitable Donations and Bequests, namely: one higher executive officer, one executive officer, two clerical officers and two clerical assistants (typists). Vacancies on the staff of the board at executive officer and clerical officer level have recently been filled and it is considered that the number of staff assigned is adequate to ensure the smooth functioning of the office.
I have no proposals at present to amend the law relating to the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests on the lines suggested. In the event of an amendment of the law being contemplated such proposals would be announced in the normal manner.
