Vol. 462 No. 1
115 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will have investigations made into the holding of a meeting under the Friendly Societies Act which was held in Mallow, County Cork recently in conjunction with the merger/amalgamation of the local radio station and 96 FM which was registered as a co-operative. [4088/96]
I assume the Deputy is referring to a recent general meeting of the North Cork Community Radio Co-operative Society Limited, a society registered by the Registrar of Friendly Societies under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts, 1893 to 1978.
The Registrar of Friendly Societies is an independent statutory officer appointed by me with powers, duties and functions under various codes of law. For the Industrial and Provident Societies, he has the function of the statutory registration of societies and of their rules once he is satisfied they are in conformity with the legislation. My functions in this area relate to general policy and legislation. I have no role in relation to day-to-day matters such as appear to be at issue in this case.
I understand from the registrar that he registered a partial transfer of engagements to Radio County Sound Limited in February 1991. This would have required the passing by the members of the I & P Society of a "special resolution" in accordance with the terms of the legislation. Sections 51, 53 and 56 of the 1893 Act would appear to be germane in this respect. The provisions for the convening of general meetings of the society and any disputes arising are set out in the society's rules first registered by the registrar in April 1986 with amendments subsequently registered in December 1990 and April 1991. The rules bind all members. Members disputing their society's actions have remedies available in the rules of the society and in the I & P Society Acts 1893 to 1978. I am informed that no members have in fact approached the registrar with any complaints. It appears that the society's rules provide for any arbitration proceedings to be carried out by the committee of the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Limited and not by the Registrar of Friendly Societies.
