The discussion of the Voluntary Organisations Bill continued in Parliament yesterday, with Labour MP Marie Louise Coleiro Preca making the point that a considerable amount of work is carried out by non-governmental organisations in order to provide support and a better service for their members.

Mrs Coleiro Preca said that the NGOs are extremely important entities, since they have direct experience with those who form part of the sector. She said that more attention needs to be given to this sector and proposed that a deadline should be set for a meeting to be held between the Social Affairs Committee and representatives of the NGOs. During this meeting, issues relating to the needs and difficulties of NGOs should be discussed in order to finalise the voluntary organisations legislation.

Mrs Coleiro Preca mentioned that certain definitions need to be made clearer in the bill. She also pointed out that she did not agree with the Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina that there should be a single commissioner responsible for non-governmental organisations. She said that she disagrees with the idea that one individual would be in possession of all the power and responsibilities. It would, she said, be more efficient to have a commission, rather than a commissioner together with a council.

She also referred to the Commissioner for Children, Sonia Camilleri, who had decided not to take up a second term because her office was unable to function properly due to the lack of support from the government. She added that she feared the same thing might happen in the eventuality of an individual commissioner for coordinating all the voluntary organisations being appointed.

Mrs Coleiro Preca, together with Labour MP Evarist Bartolo, also said that there was a need for more coordination and cooperation between the voluntary organisations, in order for them to have more power and to be more effective and resourceful. They both emphasised the importance of having a law in order to regulate non-governmental organisations. Mrs Coleiro Preca then referred to the difficulties that such non-governmental organisations face.

She argued that these organisations help their members without charge. The funds that they possess are generated by the goodwill of the public and they should therefore be exempt from taxation. She suggested that the government should consider this situation further and relieve these organisations from such pressures.

Labour MPs Joe Abela and Evarist Bartolo also pointed out that the voluntary sector faces another difficulty, which is a shortage of people offering their help. They argued that more young people needed to take an active interest in this sector.

Mr Bartolo also said that there should be more regulation with regard to the amount of money collected and to whom this money is directed.

Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Frendo said that the Voluntary Organisations Law would help enhance the country’s democracy. The voluntary sector, he said, is a means of supporting those who are most in need. He added that it is in the best interests of everyone to regulate this sector in order to support its members.

Dr Frendo said that the commissioner for voluntary organisations would be responsible for developing and assisting this sector. Another responsibility would be to coordinate the efforts of several organisations in an attempt to reduce the fragmentation that exists between them.

He also mentioned the fact that these voluntary organisations have worked very hard over the years and it is important for the public to recognise and appreciate the contribution that they make, in order for them to continue to support their members. A further point he made was that there was a need for a Voluntary Organisations Law in order for these organisations to be able to benefit from the funds and programmes funded by the EU.

Labour MP Joe Abela mentioned that the true solidarity of a country’s people is best demonstrated when its citizens help and give, without expecting anything in return. Voluntary organisations, he said, have the particular function of helping those who are in need. Therefore, he added, these organisations should be supported in order for them to be able to continue their work in our society.