26 Meith 2014, 16:55
At its meeting on 24 June 2014, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht called on Phil Hogan TD, Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to develop and publish, in consultation with other Ministers as relevant, a comprehensive policy on promoting volunteerism in Ireland.
Michael McCarthy TD, Cathaoirleach of the Committee, said: “The members and I are calling on Minister Hogan to develop and publish a comprehensive policy on promoting volunteerism in Ireland. We believe that this policy should identify and outline the advantages and benefits of a culture of volunteerism and should also outline how the Government intends to encourage and support this. On Tuesday, we had a very interesting and thought-provoking meeting with a delegation from Volunteer Ireland led by its Chief Executive Officer, Yvonne Mc Kenna. Volunteer Ireland, the national volunteer development agency which supports all local Volunteer Centres and Volunteer Information Services across the country, outlined its work to us and discussed with us how volunteering can help build a better society and assist in community development. The Committee members and I totally agree with these sentiments and believe that a clear policy on promoting volunteerism will have a major impact in supporting and fostering a culture of volunteerism to the benefit of society as a whole.”
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Membership of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Deputies: James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Paudie Coffey TD (Fine Gael); Noel Coonan (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach; Ruth Coppinger (Socialist Party); Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Fine Gael); Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil); Kevin Humphreys TD (Labour); Michael McCarthy TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach; Sandra McLellan TD (Sinn Féin); Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Gerald Nash TD (Labour); Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD; Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin).
Senators: Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael) Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); Senator Catherine Noone (Fine Gael); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil): Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil).