Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I understand an interdepartmental committee, chaired by the the Department of the Taoiseach, has been tasked with advancing work in respect of these regulators and regulatory authorities. I understand the report was due to be published in September and was then pushed out to the end of the year. Given the current economic position, this is urgently needed. What is delaying the publication of the report or were its recommendations not suitable, meaning we must go back to the drawing board? The consultancy cost of this report stood at over €300,000 at the end of 2008. What is the current cost?

This regulatory reform is obviously critical. In this and every other city, taxi drivers are complaining that the regulator does not have the staff to implement its duties in keeping people legal on the streets, not to mention the comments on the numbers of taxis. The energy regulator must deal with the issue where prices cannot drop below a floor price. There must be competition for the consumer. Regulatory reform is urgently needed in such areas. When will the report be published, what is delaying it and why can we not see it?

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