Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has established a baseline for the compliance costs which businesses are bearing against which she can set a detailed plan to reduce the administrative burden by 25% in accordance with her commitment; if she has identified the changes that will be made in 2010 and the percentage reduction in compliance that will be represented by these changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41314/09]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date in reducing the administrative burden placed on business, particularly administrative burdens which arise from taxation, environmental, health and safety legislation, and obligations arising from employment law and company law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41693/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 133 together.

My Department is charged with leading the cross-Government drive to reduce administrative burdens on business. We are doing this in a prioritised way, drawing on the experiences of other Member States who are also involved in this international effort. Departments are currently identifying the "Information Obligations", contained in their legislation, likely to be causing the biggest burdens for business. When the top Information Obligations have been identified, these priorities will be measured and, following this, simplification plans will be developed, detailing how the reductions are to be carried out. Work is now well advanced in my own Department in measuring information obligations in Company Law, Employment Law, and Health & Safety Law.

My Department has identified 34 priority Information Obligations across these three areas. The priorities were identified through consultation with business groups and experts, and by comparison with the results of the UK measurement exercise. It is envisaged that measurement of the 34 Information Obligations will be completed by the end of 2009. Other Departments are currently listing and prioritising the Information Obligations contained in the legislation under their responsibility. Measurement of priorities identified across Government will be carried out during 2010. Once these measurements have been concluded, simplification plans will be developed. Following this, simplification will be carried out during 2011 and 2012.