Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that commitment from the Minister of State and I will certainly judge him on his actions. The reason 60 years was mentioned was to put it into perspective. The legislation dates back to 1893 and gives no recognition to the distinct characteristics of co-operatives, or any reference to the co-operative principle. The Forfás report in 2007 highlights that the co-operative sector in Ireland is vibrant, but concentrated in certain traditional sectors. It goes on to say that it is static. We simply have not used the potential that exists in co-operatives. I would have thought we would have learned from the recession and certainly we should learn from Covid-19. If one looks at the underlying principles, they fit in with what the Government says in theory. There are seven parts to the definition and one is particularly striking, that co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by members. There must be Government recognition of that. We need policy and legislation. I welcome the Minister of State giving his word today and I will hold him to it.

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