I beg to move: "That a sum not exceeding £1,715 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1924, for certain miscellaneous expenses, including certain grants in aid." (£5,000 had already been voted on account.)
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE—ESTIMATES FOR PUBLIC SERVICES. - MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
I would like to ask whether the Minister has any plans with respect to the extension of the authority of the Registrar of Friendly Societies? There seems to be a general feeling that his powers are non-existent. Is the Minister satisfied that the office, as at present conducted, fits all the requirements? We have heard that the Registrar, while he has legal powers to institute prosecutions, is not provided with any assurance that the cost of such prosecutions will be met. Whether that is the case or not I cannot say, but it has been put forward as a reason why secretaries of societies registered under these Acts have been allowed to pass by their duties with regard to the balance sheets and the like. They are supposed to send in yearly returns, and I saw an official record a few days ago which showed that a very large number of societies did not send in their returns. One explanation was that the Registrar, while he had legal authority to prosecute, had no assurance that he would be reimbursed for any funds expended in prosecution. Therefore he was deterred from prosecuting. One would also like some information on (b) as to the purpose of this grant-in-aid to the lawyers' trade union. I suppose it had a good intention once, but one wonders whether the reasons still persist why £325 should be voted annually to the lawyers' union. Deputy Fitzgibbon is not here, but there are several other barristers and solicitors present who would, no doubt, be able to enlighten us on the purposes for which this money is used, and the service it renders to the State.
With regard to the question of the Registrar of Friendly Societies, that matter has been more or less under consideration for something like eighteen months. I cannot promise at present to undertake to do anything about it until after the elections, as it is a very big question. The late General Collins and myself were in collaboration with regard to it. It would not have been possible to deal satisfactorily with it owing to the pressure of business in the last eighteen months, but we do not intend to lose sight of it. I am sure that the Deputy will recognise that, in dealing with a matter of this kind, to deal with it fairly and equitably and with administrative capacity requires a normal atmosphere and a careful examination of all the circumstances. That is necessary in order to do something that would be really beneficial to the Societies. I realise that there may be hardship involved in the delay in dealing with it, but it will be a matter for the consideration of the Oireachtas, when it comes up for final consideration, for the adoption of recommendations, or for the setting up of any officer that may be required. As regards sub-head (b), this is a grant in respect of portion of the expenses incurred by the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland in fulfilling the duties imposed on it by the Solicitors (Ireland) Act, 1898, with regard to the Roll of Solicitors, etc. (61 and 61 Vict., c. 17). As regards sub-head (d), at present seven students are in receipt of research allowances at the rate of £150 each per annum, involving a payment of £525 during the first part of the financial year. Provision is also made for five allowances for the next academic year, which commences on the 1st October. In respect of these allowances two quarterly instalments, £375 in all, may become payable during this financial year. As regards sub-head (e), this relates to (1) the assessment of compensation by an official arbitrator in respect of land authorised to be acquired compulsorily for public purposes, and (2) the hearing of the estate duty appeals under the Finance Act of 1910. The post is vacant at present.
Question put and agreed to.