David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Bruton. I will not take too long.

I welcome our guests and thank them for the presentation. This time two years ago we were getting emails from people who were concerned about the upgrade of the Department's new software. It had caused a certain number of glitches at the time. I wanted to give the witnesses some positive feedback. As they were coming before the committee today, I make inquiries of some people who had complained at that time and the feedback I got was extremely positive. Well done, everybody on the work that has been done. Those people have said the system is highly efficient and they are very pleased with it. It is important to give positive feedback where it is warranted.

An issue raised with me was the requirement to have an audit in year two and year three for small microbusinesses that have missed a filing deadline. I have been advised it is very onerous on those companies. It has been suggested that an increase in the filing period for those years would be more appropriate because often micro-companies are the main sufferers. One of the witnesses might comment on that.

It was mentioned that quite a number of stakeholders carry out searches to get information on companies that want to be business with them. Could one of the witnesses indicate the number of such many searches that are carried out? I know a fee is charged for them. What was the income derived from those in the past year?

I am quite interested in the co-operative societies Bill . I would like it to be advanced and I agree that it is long overdue.

Mr. Newham mentioned companies that are not registered with the Register of Beneficial Ownership are liable to enforcement action. Could he comment further on that? How many such actions have taken place in the last period? That is linked with money laundering, about which I would be interested in learning.

It may not be directly linked with the CRO but I note the casual and occasional trading licence legislation was to be updated in 2018. That was put off time and again and there is still no sign of it. It affects microbusinesses. Mr. Newham may not have that information to hand today and he might come back to us on that and let us know what is happening on that. I note in 2018 and 2019 I had some information indicating it would be updated but nothing has happened.

I am very pleased Ireland has a reputation for being a well regulated and business-friendly country in which to establish and operate a business. I advise my colleague, Deputy O'Reilly, that the Fine Gael press office works very hard to ensure that we have a good reputation abroad. I detect some disappointment on her part that we have a good reputation abroad. We want to work to ensure we maintain that.