Vol. 491 No. 7
95 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a company (details supplied) in County Wexford has been waiting since 9 January 1998 for a final reply from the Registry of Friendly Societies; her views on whether this response is acceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13279/98]
I understand from the Registry of Friendly Societies that the registration of the society in question was cancelled on 16 December 1993 for failure to submit annual returns.
In October 1997 the society's auditors inquired as to how its registration could be restored. The auditors subsequently submitted the outstanding annual returns, which were the subject of correspondence with the registry up to 11 February 1998. The data contained in the returns give rise to matters which require the registrar's consideration. I understand that to date he has not yet finalised his deliberations on these issues.
It would not normally be acceptable practice that my Department or any of its offices should take several months to reply to correspondence. However, I am aware that the registrar has been considerably occupied recently, most notably with matters connected with the implementation of the Credit Union Act, 1997. I am asking the registrar to arrange that a reply issue to the society shortly.
