The Institute wants to ensure that the statutory regulation of fundraising activity also supports self-regulation of the sector.

"In February 2006, the Fundraising Standards Board was established as the body to run the self-regulation of fundraising scheme in the UK, and the intention was always for the scheme to be a UK wide one,” said Charlotte Trinder, chair of the Institute of Fundraising Northern Ireland.

"We believe that self-regulation will only work effectively if all parts of the UK actively support and participate in the scheme,” Trinder added. “I hope that the Northern Ireland Office will support the start-up of the scheme.”

The recommendation was made in the organisation’s response to the consultation on the Draft Primary Legislation: The Charities (Northern Ireland) order.

The call came as the Fundraising Standards Board announced it is to begin an increased membership drive and will appoint a complaints manager. The FSB is continuing its promotion in Scotland through telephone marketing and an advertising campaign in the Scottish press. It also intends to target 1,000 English charities in a focused telemarketing campaign.

The membership drive follows a lacklustre start for the FSB, forced to push back its official launch after a slower than expected take up of the scheme. The FSB has also announced that a complaints manager, who will be responsible for managing the complaints process, is to be in post by the end of the year.