John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 216: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of trade unions registered in each of the past three years with the Registrar of Friendly Societies; if each one fulfilled their obligations to the registrar; if there was a breach of these obligations; and if the annual report was submitted for each of these years. [38604/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The number of trade unions registered with the Registrar of Friendly Societies in each of the past three years is set out below. There were no new registrations in any of the three years. This information is included in the report of the Registrar of Friendly Societies which is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas annually.

The main obligation of trade unions with regard to their registration is the submission of an annual return specifying the receipts, funds, effects and expenditure of the trade union, and detailing changes of officers and any changes to rules. Non-submission of an annual return constitutes a breach of a union's obligations under the Trade Union Acts, 1871 to 1990.

The table below sets out the number of unions registered at the end of each year and the number of annual returns which have been filed in respect of that year.

Year Number of Unions Registered Annual Returns Filed

2006 66 49

2007 65 47

2008 65 39