Order of Business - 1st June 2005

We should have a discussion on charities in
light of the very sad emergence of fraud within
the Christina Noble trust. Like many other
Members of the House I heard her on radio today
and she was absolutely heartbroken. She is a very
remarkable woman who has given her life to
looking after the interests of abandoned children
and people in great difficulties, particularly young
people in Asia. She has been betrayed by people
within her organisation. She has also been let
down by us because charities are not properly
regulated. This entire area needs to be examined.
People can set themselves up as charities quite
easily. There is very little regulation. There is also
the practice where nice, decent young people are
hired to go out and harass people for money.
Sometimes I meet eight different collections on
my way between O’Connell Street and here.
There should be some degree of regulation.
I wish to inform the House that following my
attempt to raise a matter on the Order of Business
some weeks ago, I wrote to Senator O’Toole,
who is our representative on the Committee on
Procedure and Privileges, asking that we invite
the McCartney sisters and Robert McCartney’s
fiance´e to give evidence to us.
An Cathaoirleach: That letter is on file and we
will discuss it.
Mr. Norris: I thank the Cathaoirleach for that
and note it will be discussed.
An Cathaoirleach: The matter should not be
brought to the floor of this House.
Mr. Norris: It is particularly relevant that the
Committee on Procedure and Privileges should
examine this matter on a day when we learn of
the arrest of two people in the North of Ireland.
An Cathaoirleach: That matter will be dealt
with by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges,
not here.