Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2005

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Regulation System

9:00 pm

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether there should be a single regulator for all services and utilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12079/05]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government recently considered and endorsed the report of the high level committee that was asked to examine the most appropriate implementation arrangements for the enterprise strategy group, ESG, recommendations. While the Government is broadly supportive of the policy directions recommended by the ESG, it decided not to implement the recommendation that the existing regulators for networked sectors, for example, electricity, gas, telecommunications and broadcasting should be replaced by a new regulatory body covering all networked sectors.

In examining international experience, the Government remains to be convinced that regulatory amalgamation on the scale proposed would be an efficient model. There is a danger that a single regulator could give rise to slower decision making and less focus on smaller sectors compared with more dominant ones. I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, whose remit covers this area, is considering various structures for appeals of decisions made by regulatory authorities under the aegis of his Department.

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