Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:278 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment when the Credit Union Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18496/96]
Written Answers. - Credit Union Bill.
Proposals for the updating and consolidation of the body of legislation dealing with credit unions, which date in some cases from 1893, are well advanced. The scope of the Bill has necessarily required detailed attention on the part of both my Department and the Attorney General's office. However, I am pleased to be able to say that a first draft of the Bill, which involves up to 200 sections, has been received from the parliamentary draftsman, and it is at present being examined in detail by my Department and the Registrar of Friendly Societies, who has overall responsibility for the regulation and supervision of credit unions. The text of the Bill will be finalised in consultation with the parliamentary draftsman in the coming weeks, after which Government approval will be sought. The Credit Union Bill is my priority for legislative action, and while I am not able to give a precise date for publication at present. I can assure Deputies that every effort is being made to have the Bill published as quickly as possible in order that it can be considered during the forthcoming Dáil session.