At last we get regulation

It is disappointing that it has taken the ongoing CRC scandal to finally create the political will to appoint a charity regulator.

It is now five years since the Charities Act was enacted and the vast majority of charities, who do incredible work in difficult conditions, are ready and wiling to embrace regulation.

Given the issues involving bodies like Irish Water, and the Government’s own lack of progress on political reform, there is now an opportunity to appoint an independent regulator and to ensure that they are chosen through a fair, open and transparent process.

The need for an independent regulator has increased importance in light of the privatisation of the National Lottery.

In recent years, a substantial annual lottery fund for charities has become the plaything of ministers. An independent regulator can ensure oversight on this important fund, and help show that the Government is prepared to walk the talk when it comes to transparency and reform.

Whatever the course of action, a regulator must be appointed with urgency before any further damage is done.

Ruairí McKiernan

Founder, SpunOut.ie

Clontarf

Dublin 3