Efforts by charities to obtain better tax treatment won influential support on the Government side of the House. Mr Tony Kett (FF), a nominee of the Taoiseach, strongly advocated that the Minister for Finance consider extending Sections 6 and 20 of the 1972 Act in the manner suggested by the Irish Charities Reform Group. It was estimated that such changes would result in a saving of £35 million to charities.
The Minister should also consider extending Section 848 relief on personal donations.
He urged the leader of the Seanad to talk to the Minister about these issues. The leader, Mr Donie Cassidy, undertook to do so.