asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce (a) the number of societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts, as shown in the most recent report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies, (b) the number of such societies which are (i) agricultural co-operatives, (ii) non-trading societies as defined in Chapter IV, paragraph 25, of the Fifth Report of the Commission on Income Taxation, (iii) educational, cultural and charitable societies, and (iv) other co-operative societies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Co-operative Societies.
6.
The total number of societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts at 31st December, 1960, was 754 of which 354 were agricultural societies. Except for agricultural societies, these societies are not classified in the Registry of Friendly Societies under the various headings mentioned by the Deputy, and the other information requested is not, therefore, readily available. The Deputy may find sufficient information for his purpose in the Annual Report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
7.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce, with regard to the committee set up by him in 1958 to inquire into and report on the alterations which should be made in the law to promote co-operative effort by societies capable of being registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts or the Friendly Societies Acts, other than societies connected with agricultural pursuits, if he will state (a) the number of members of the committee, together with their names and qualifications, (b) the number of meetings held by the committee during each year since its setting up, (c) the number of meetings held since 1st September, 1962, and (d) whether the committee has yet presented its report to him; and, if so, whether the report has been published, and at what date.
There are now eleven members on the Committee. They are:—
Chairman: Mr. Kevin Mangan.
Ordinary Members: Mr. Breandán Ó Cearbhaill, Mr. Michael J. Dargan, Miss Nora Herlihy, Mr. Patrick Kelly, Mr. Richard D. Lord, Mr. Alasdair MacCába, Mr. Thomas F. McDermott, Mr. James A. O'Dwyer, Mr. Dermot L. Shortall, Mr. P.J. Meghen.
Mr. Mangan is the Registrar of Friendly Societies; Mr. Ó Cearbhaill is President of the National Co-operative Council; Mr. Dargan is Assistant General Manager of Aer Lingus Teoranta; Miss Herlihy is a member of the Irish Countrywomen's Association; Mr. Kelly is Assistant Secretary of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society; Mr. Lord is Managing Director of Seafield Fabrics Limited; Mr. MacCába is Managing Director and Secretary of the Educational Building Society, Limited; Mr. McDermott is City Manager, Limerick; Mr. O'Dwyer is an Assistant Secretary in the Department of Industry and Commerce; Mr. Shortall is an accountant; Mr. Meghen is a member of the Executive of Muintir na Tíre.
I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served in seeking the detailed information requested at (b) and (c) of the question. I understand that the Committee has held 34 meetings to date and expects to be in a position to present its report at an early date.