Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 5th January, 2021.

WHEREAS the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Act 2020 (No. 9 of 2020), having regard to the risk to human life and public health posed by the spread of the disease known as Covid-19 and in response to the economic difficulties caused by that disease, made exceptional provision;

AND WHEREAS Part 3 of the said Act amended the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 (56 & 57 Vict., c.39) to make exceptional provision in relation to the operation of certain provisions of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 for a certain period and such further period (if any) as may be specified by order of the Government;

AND WHEREAS the definition of “interim period” in section 79 of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 (amended by section 29 of the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Act 2020 ) has defined that period as beginning on the commencement of section 29 of the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Act 2020 and ending on 31 December 2020, and such other period (if any) as may be specified by order under section 14A of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 ;

AND WHEREAS the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (as adapted by the Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020 ( S.I. No. 519 of 2020 )) by order dated 20 August 2020 entitled the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Act 2020 (Commencement) Order 2020 ( S.I. No. 320 of 2020 ) appointed the 21^st day of August 2020 as the day on which the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Act 2020 came into operation;

AND WHEREAS subsection (1) of section 14A of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 provided that the Government may, at the request of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment made after consultation with the Minister for Health, from time to time, by order extend the interim period, for such period as they consider appropriate if they are satisfied that, having had regard to the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d) of the said subsection (1) of section 14A, the making of such order is in the public interest;

AND WHEREAS the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, having consulted with the Minister for Health has made a request in accordance with subsection (1) of section 14A of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 ;

Now the Government, being satisfied that, having had regard to the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (1) of section 14A of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 , the making of such order is in the public interest and in exercise of the powers conferred on them by subsection (1) of section 14A of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 , hereby order as follows:

1. This Order may be cited as the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 (Section 14A(1)) (Covid-19) Order 2020.

2. In this Order “Act of 2020” means the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Act 2020 (No. 9 of 2020).

3. The period beginning on 1 January 2021 and ending on 9 June 2021 is hereby specified as the period to which the interim period as defined in section 79 of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 (56 & 57 Vict., c.39) (amended by section 29 of the Act of 2020) shall be extended in respect of the amendments effected by Part 3 of the Act of 2020.

GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Government,

15 December, 2020.

MICHEÁL MARTIN,

Taoiseach.