Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.

My Department will shortly be consulting Departments generally about the question of publication of regulatory impact analyses carried out before Government decisions are taken. I draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that the Government has, in a number of instances, been publishing the general schemes of Bills and referring them to Oireachtas committees for consideration in advance of publishing the related Bill.

As regards the rationalisation of regulators, given the radical changes in the Irish economic environment in recent years, there is a need to reassess and reframe the role of regulators as a central part of Ireland's recovery. In particular, the creation of an investment-friendly environment that encourages job creation, at lowest cost to business and consumers, should be an important factor in the overall work of all regulatory bodies in Ireland. This is captured in the programme for Government commitment on economic regulation. In that context and under a commitment in the action plan for jobs, Forfás is undertaking a study to identify changes in the operation of sectoral regulators that would enhance cost competitiveness. The Forfás study which is expected to be completed later this year and the recommendations arising will provide an important evidence base and input into work on the effectiveness of economic regulation more generally as envisaged in the programme for Government which is being co-ordinated by my Department.

Given the multifaceted nature of the overall regulation agenda and the need for clarity and certainty for businesses and consumers, the Government recently confirmed the assignment of lead responsibility in respect of the various functions in this area across a number of relevant Departments. As with other major policy areas of government, overall strategic co-ordination and work on economic regulation in general will be overseen and progressed at Cabinet committee level.

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