Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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138. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the drafting of the co-operative societies Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34319/22]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Following a public consultation held in February 2022 to inform certain aspects of the proposed legislation, my Department is finalising a General Scheme of a Co-operative Societies Bill.  The proposed legislation is part of the most far-reaching reform of the legislation regarding Co-operative Societies in almost 130 years. The proposals will consolidate, modernise and strengthen the legislative basis for the sector and enshrine the co-operative model in legislation for the first time. This will allow co-operatives to operate under a modern, fit for purpose legislative framework, and provide an attractive alternative to the company law model for those entities who subscribe to the co-operative ethos.

It is envisaged that the General Scheme will be submitted in the coming weeks to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I, with a view to seeking Government’s approval, as soon as possible thereafter, to draft the Co-operative Societies’ Bill.