Written answers

Wednesday, 21 June 2006

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Regulatory Authorities

9:00 pm

Photo of Gerard MurphyGerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether there is merit in the suggestion to merge all sectoral regulators into one single regulatory authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23897/06]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As none of the existing sectoral regulators come within my remit as Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, this is not a matter for which I have any direct responsibility. Having said that, I have no plans to establish a single national regulator.

I am concerned to ensure that our national system of regulation encourages and promotes competition within the economy and that individual regulators recognise such objectives as an important national priority. Indeed, in this regard I am aware that the Competition Authority has already Co-operation Agreements in place with many of the existing sectoral regulators.

There is a danger that the scope of a single regulator would be too broad and that as a consequence speedy decision making would be hampered. Furthermore, the trend internationally is away from the concept of a consolidated regulator towards a sectoral approach.

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