Introductory text

WHEREAS—

1. (1)

   By an Act of the Parliament of Ireland intituled “1774 c. 46 (Ir.).An Act for amending an Act made the last Session of Parliament, intitled, An Act for badging such Poor as shall be found unable to support themselves by Labour, and otherwise providing for them, and for restraining such as shall be found able to support themselves by Labour and Industry, from begging” the Belfast Charitable Society (“the Society”) was incorporated in 1774 by the name of “the president and assistants of the Belfast charitable society” for the better carrying into execution under proper regulations the charitable and humane design of maintaining the poor of the town of Belfast with power to make laws, rules, orders and regulations for the government and management of the infirmary and poor house now known as Clifton House and to make byelaws and regulations and to exercise the same powers with respect to all idle and sturdy beggars within Belfast as certain corporations within counties and cities in Ireland were then enabled to do:

2. (2)

   Further provision was made with respect to the Society by subsequent Acts of the Parliament of Ireland, including limited powers to purchase and lease lands:

3. (3)

   The business of the Society is managed by a Board of Management established by regulations made under section 12 of the said Act of 1774:

4. (4)

   In order to ensure that the Society will be able to serve the present-day and likely future needs of the community it is necessary to modernise the objects and powers of the Society, together with its constitution and management:

5. (5)

   It is expedient that the other provisions of this Act should be enacted:

6. (6)

   The purposes of this Act cannot be effected without the authority of Parliament: