PRESS RELEASE

COMMITTEE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

15 January 2008

SD No 01/08

COMMENTS INVITED ON CHARITIES BILL

The Committee for Social Development is inviting written comments on the Charities Bill. The Bill was introduced in the Assembly on 10 December 2007 and received its Second Reading on 15 January 2008. The Bill has now been referred to the Committee for Social Development for Committee Stage.

The overall aim of the Bill is to introduce an integrated system of registration and regulation as well as supervision and support of registered charities. In particular the Bill will:

• provide a definition of "charity" and "charitable purpose"
• establish the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) and the Charity Tribunal for Northern Ireland
• create a register of charities
• provide for a new form of charitable body (a charitable incorporated organisation )
• deal with the regulation of charities and public charitable collections.

Committee Chairman, Gregory Campbell MP, encouraged interested individuals and organisations to make use of this opportunity to comment:

“This is one of the first Bills to pass through the Assembly since restoration in May. I would urge relevant organisations and individuals to contribute to this process by making their comments through the Committee.”

A copy of the Bill and the associated Explanatory and Financial Memorandum are available on the Assembly website: archive.niassembly.gov.uk/legislation/primary/2007/nia9_07.htm

Individuals and organisations are invited to submit written comments on the specific provisions of the Bill by 5.00 pm on 5 February 2008. Responses should be sent to the Clerk at Room 412, Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast, BT4 3XX or by e-mail to: committee.socialdevelopment@niassembly.gov.uk

If you do not have access to the internet or e mail facilities or you have any other enquiries please contact the Committee Office on 028 9052 1710.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Committee Membership: Mr Gregory Campbell MP (DUP) (Chairperson); Mr David Hilditch (DUP) (Deputy Chairperson); Mr Mickey Brady (SF); Mr Thomas Burns (SDLP); Mr Fred Cobain (UUP); Mr Jonathan Craig (DUP); Ms Anna Lo (ALL); Mr Alban Maginness (SDLP); Mr Fra McCann (SF); Mrs Claire McGill (SF); Miss Michelle McIlveen (DUP).

Media enquiries should be directed to Sinead Lee, Northern Ireland Assembly Information Office, Room B2, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX.
Tel No: 02890-521137/521396. Fax: 02890 521961.
Website Address – archive.niassembly.gov.uk
Email: info.office@niassembly.gov.uk