The Deputy is correct in stating that no charities Bill has been published. However, as a first step towards preparation of draft legislation, a consultation paper entitled Establishing amodern statutory framework for charities was prepared within my Department during 2003and approved by the Government lastDecember.
Immediately following Government approval, the consultation paper was posted on my Department's website, www.pobail.ie. I draw the Deputy's attention to Part 5, entitled Accountability, which contains a proposal for positioning an independent statutory body as the centrepiece of a modern framework for charities and, in that connection sets out options for new institutional arrangements.