asked the Minister for Finance if he will state what is the approximate computable loss of revenue, for the financial year ending 31st March, 1946, arising from the nonpayment of income-tax by co-operative societies and such like trading corporations, including societies under the control of the Department of Agriculture, who, under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893, are exempted from the payment of income-tax; and if he intends, in the life of the present Dáil, to take the requisite legislative action to bring such bodies, as far as their trading in non-agricultural products is concerned, within the income-tax code on a level with ordinary traders.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Co-operative Societies' Income-tax.
As regards the first part of the question, the information which the Deputy seeks is not available. I should mention, however, that the concerns under the control of the Department of Agriculture, which he appears to have in mind, are not exempted from income-tax. So far as the second part of the question is concerned, I have been considering the various aspects of the matter for some time, but I have no present intention of introducing legislation.