The Social Democrats are proposing tougher regulations for the charity sector, including plans for a new anti-corruption agency.

They are also calling for mandatory training for those appointed to the board of directors of any charity.

The party also want to strengthen the legal requirements on auditors to report of any financial irregularities they discover.

Social Democrat TD Catherine Murphy said that the charities regulator could refer any cases of concern to their proposed independent anti-corruption agency.

“Organisations can refer things to agency that has a broad remit that has people like, for example, forensic accountants, with specialities that actually can go across a different range of sectors and investigate on behalf of, for example arms of the State,” she said.

“And not only investigate, but prosecute as well.”