Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of regulatory impact assessments produced by his Department since the adoption of the policy by Government; the number of appropriate decisions made by his Department which did not include such assessments; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23905/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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There have been no Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA) carried out by my Department. The Department of Defence is not a regulatory authority as commonly understood. The Defence Acts and Regulations made thereunder are for the most part, focused on the Defence Forces only and do not apply to the ordinary citizen or to business. Notwithstanding this, the Department applies the principles set out in the RIA Guidelines issued by the Department of the Taoiseach where appropriate. My Department is also represented on the RIA Network chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach. My Department has an ongoing programme of work on the simplification and reform of legislation and Regulations made under the Defence Acts. Elements of this are included in the Pay Agreement and Modernisation Agenda for the Defence Forces and the Towards 2016 Action Plan for the Department.