Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2023
109. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide an update on the proposed Co-Operative Societies Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9217/23]
View answerOn 9 November 2022, the Government approved the drafting of the Co-operative Societies Bill 2022. The General Scheme represents the most far-reaching reform of the legislation regarding Co-operative Societies in almost 130 years. The proposals will consolidate, modernise and strengthen the legislative basis for the sector and enshrine the co-operative model in legislation for the first time. This will allow co-operatives to operate under a modern, fit for purpose legislative framework, and provide an attractive alternative to the company law model for those entities who subscribe to the co-operative ethos.
Pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment commenced on 14 December 2022 and is ongoing. Given the size and complexity of the proposed legislation, I do not expect the drafting of the Bill to be completed before late 2023.
