Trevor Sargent
Question:287 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the reason for the delay in relation to increased powers for credit unions. [12776/96]
Written Answers. - Credit Union Powers.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 164 in this House on 5 December 1995 as reported in Vol. 459, number 3, cols. 449-450 and my reply to Question No. 81 in this House on 25 January 1996 as reported in Vol. 460, number 5, cols. 1395 and 1396.
Proposals for the updating and consolidation of the body of legislation (1893 to 1978) dealing with credit unions have been developed by my Department and the Registrar of Friendly Societies and are still with the parliamentary draftsman. In the course of the development of these proposals there has been extensive consultation with interested parties, including the Irish credit union movement itself.
I wish to again confirm my intention to introduce the Bill as soon as possible after the drafting processes are complete and I have had an opportunity to put the draft Bill before my Cabinet colleagues. I have previously signified that interested parties will then have another oportunity to review my proposals before they are considered by the Oireachtas.