By Anthony Sheridan
The Irish charity sector has a massive turnover of over 8 billion annually with over 3 billion of that coming directly from the pockets of taxpayers and yet, the sector is completely unregulated.
Why is this?
The most likely reason is that effective regulation would interfere with the interests of some very powerful people.
For decades, government after government, was asked to bring in legislation to establish an effective charity regulator, they never did.
Why is this?
The most likely reason is that effective regulation would interfere with the interests of some very powerful people.
Then, years later and after some particularly nasty scandals, the government was forced to draft legislation and establish a charity regulator but decided not to enact the legislation or allow the regulator to begin operations. This decision was made on the grounds that it was too expensive to spend five or six million a year to regulate an industry with a turnover of over 8 billion.
Why is this?
The most likely reason is that effective regulation would interfere with the interests of some very powerful people.
Then, after even more nasty scandals, the government was forced to allow the Charity Regulator to begin operation but only with very restricted funding and without the power to actually investigate any alleged wrongdoing.
Why is this?
The most likely reason is that effective regulation would interfere with the interests of some very powerful people.
Now we have the latest scandal involving the charity Console. Here’s what’s (not) happening.
The Charity Regulator has no power to act.
The Public Accounts Committee is going to discuss the matter but, like the Regulator, has no power to act.
The HSE has been aware for the last ten years that something was wrong but took no effective action.
The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, apart from having a ridiculously pompous title, is a toothless tiger.
Why is this?
The most likely reason is that effective regulation would interfere with the interests of some very powerful people.
Meanwhile, countless thousands of very vulnerable people are suffering untold agonies because the state and its agencies don’t care enough to look after their needs.
Why is this?
The most likely reason is that effective regulation would interfere with the interests of some very powerful people.
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