I move that this Bill be read a Second Time. It is a minor Bill and deals only with matters of administration. When the Saorstát was established, the Registrar of Friendly Societies and all the functions of Government Departments relating to the Registry of Friendly Societies were transferred to the Department of Finance and that was confirmed by the Ministers and Secretaries Act, which was passed in 1924. In 1926, an Order in Council was made transferring the Registrar of Friendly Societies and the business of his office to the Department of Industry and Commerce but a number of functions under various statutes relating to the Registrar of Friendly Societies remained with the Department of Finance. It is considered more desirable, from the point of view of effective administration, that these functions should attach to the Department of Industry and Commerce, the Registrar of Friendly Societies being on the staff of that Department. The sole purpose of the Bill is to provide for the transfer from the Department of Finance to the Department of Industry and Commerce of these powers and functions.
Registry of Friendly Societies Bill, 1936—Second Stage.
It is not the intention under Section 4 to affect the interests of any individual society? Is that merely a cover-all clause to regularise the general trend of business during the intervening period?
Would the Minister take this opportunity to define the powers of this individual in connection with societies? For instance, would it be his duty to see that the funds of a society were kept intact, so as to be available to members, if needed? I have in mind a large society in the country to which members have been paying in for years. Some of the funds went wrong at head office and the branches have been held responsible, with the result that large demands are being made upon them. These demands, if met, will mean that these branches will not be in a position to fulfil their obligations to the members who have been contributing for a number of years. Would it be the duty of this gentleman to see that steps were taken to secure that the benefits would be there, if called upon? The case I am fighting is an interesting and important one. I do not want to go into the details now but I should like the Minister to define the powers of the Registrar in cases of that kind.
The Registrar of Friendly Societies has certain functions concerning the appointment of auditors and the examination of the reports of auditors in relation to friendly societies. In certain circumstances, he can take steps which will lead to the cancellation of the registration of the society but he has no power to interfere directly in the day-to-day administration of societies. In fact, his powers are largely confined to the actions he can take if it is evident that the affairs of the society have been badly conducted and in such circumstances he can arrange for the cancellation of the registration.
He could not do much good in this case?
Not in that case.
The Minister is going to look the matter up?
Yes.
Question agreed to. Committee Stage fixed for Thursday, 19th November.