This will follow the introduction of new legislation by the two Governments later this year. At present the legislation is being considered by the respective Governments and they will both seek to introduce charity registers and charity regulators as part of this.
Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie was in Dublin today meeting with Ministers Eamon O Cuiv and Pat Carey from the Department for Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to discuss ways in which they can work together to regulate charities on both sides of the Border, across the Border and on an all island basis.
Following her meeting Minister Ritchie said: “The work of charities throughout Ireland is of huge importance, making positive improvements to the lives of many people. It is equally important that we ensure that there is public confidence in that charitable work and the establishment of charity regulators north and south provides the structure for governance, accountability and transparency.
“The public welcomes this, the charity sector welcomes this and Ministers O Cuiv, Carey and I welcome this. We have agreed that we should continue to work closely together to ensure that our processes and procedures arising out of the legislation make practical sense for cross border charities whilst respecting the separate fiscal jurisdictions.”
Other areas discussed with Minister O Cuiv for potential development and cross border learning, included urban regeneration, volunteering and community development.
As part of the Minister’s busy visit to Dublin she also held meetings with Minister Brendan Smith TD; with a number of voluntary sector leaders on possible cross projects and with the Office of the Taoiseach’s Active Citizenship Taskforce.
Notes to Editors:
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