Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 149: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number and names of organisations or agencies under her auspices which have been amalgamated or eliminated due to budgetary measures; the estimated savings in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42219/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Insofar as my Department is concerned, Budget 2009 announcements included the merging of the National Consumer Agency and the Competition Authority. As both bodies were established under statute, it will be necessary to give effect to the newly merged body by way of primary legislation. Whilst I am committed to introducing this legislation as soon as possible, it is not possible at this early stage to give a precise date as to when the necessary legislation will be published. Similarly, whilst it is expected that the synergies arising from the merger of the two bodies will result in savings to the exchequer, particularly in areas such as shared services, it is not possible to precisely quantify the amount of savings involved at this stage.