asked the Minister for Finance if he will state how many money-lenders are registered as such in the Saorstát, and whether there are any registrations under the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, as money-lenders.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REGISTRATION OF MONEYLENDERS.
As regards the first part of the question, the number of persons at present registered as money-lenders under the Money-lenders Act, 1900, in An Saorstát is 178.
The second part of the question should strictly have been addressed to the Minister for Industry and Commerce as the Administration of the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, is under the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924, a matter for his Department. I have made some inquiries, however, and find that to supply the information asked for in this part of the question would involve a search through over 7,500 files, and in view of the fact that all money-lenders are bound under severe penalties to register under the Moneylenders' Act, 1900, and that the number of persons so registered has been stated in the reply to the first part of the question, the Minister for Industry and Commerce agrees with me that the result would not justify the expenditure of time and money involved.