asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps he has taken to improve the staffing of the office of the Registrar of Friendly Societies following the recent decision of the Federated Workers Union of Ireland and the Irish Transport and General Workers Union to seek to merge their two unions into a new union known as SIPTU and the more recent announcement of the three teachers' unions to seek to have a merger of their unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Registrar of Friendly Societies Office Staffing.
45.
I would refer the Deputy to the answer I gave on 1 February, 1989 to a question about the staffing of the office of the Registrar of Friendly Societies. As the Deputy is aware, an experienced official was assigned, on a temporary basis, to the registry to assist with the merger of the FWUI and the ITGWU. The amalgamation process is proceeding on time. This special arrangement is being continued to deal with further steps in the process and any other matters that arise.
If it should become necessary in the future to deal with major mergers of trade unions the question of augmenting the Registry staffing can be considered.
I understand from the registrar that no application relating to the reported merger of three teachers' unions has been received to date.