Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

We will not introduce the standard cost model as employed by the Netherlands, although we have engaged with Dutch authorities and they made representations to the business regulation forum on the application of the model there. One of the key issues is required resources in terms of a base measurement that a standard cost model would entail. We would need a significant cohort of civil servants in every Department, co-ordinated by the Department of Finance to oversee a standard cost model. Some of the methodology used by a standard cost model can be used, primarily to measure reductions achieved rather than identify burdens in other areas. In other words, we are identifying key areas brought to our attention by business, where we could make significant progress on reducing the regulatory burden.

The EU has set a 25% reduction target, which we will be signing up to. There is a significant implementation piece around that, but nonetheless we subscribe to the EU-wide policy of endeavouring to achieve a macro-reduction in regulation for business.

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