Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 2

Written Answers. - Charity Collections.

Mary Harney

Ceist:

117 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Justice the measures, if any, she proposes to take to control the level of unregulated charity collections; whether she has investigated complaints into a charity (details supplied) in County Kildare. [11223/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

There is a commitment in the Government policy agreement to reform 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. Work is proceeding on the preparation of legislation in this area and to this end an advisory group comprising representatives of various groups involved in fund raising has been established.

In relation to the particular charity referred to by the Deputy, I am informed by the Garda authorities that this charity raises funds for Third World charities. It is understood that the funds raised are used to send containers of food, clothing etc, to Third World countries. I am further informed by the Garda that they are satisfied as to the bona fides of this charity.