Vol. 449 No. 7
96 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Finance, in view of the increasing public concern surrounding new movements, commonly referred to as cults, and in view of the tragic events at Waco in the United States of America and Solar Temple in Switzerland and in Canada, if he will make a statement on the application by the Church of Scientology/Dianetics, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1 for charitable status; and the outcome of that application. [4522/95]
There is at present no statutory body responsible for regulating the activities of charities or with which charities should be registered. The Revenue Commissioners consider applications for tax exemption from organisations established for charitable purposes but do not confer charitable status as such. In the policy agreement between the Government parties. A Government of Renewal, there is a commitment to reforming the law relating to administration and regulations of charities along the lines of the Costello report which is primarily a matter for the Minister for Justice. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that their obligation to observe confidentiality in relation to the taxation affairs of taxpayers precludes them from giving information about individual applications for tax exemption made to them.
