Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures that have been implemented since December 2008 to reduce the administrative burdens on businesses; if the target of a 25% reduction by 2012 as outlined in Building Ireland's Smart Economy: A Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal report is achievable; and the way in which this target will be quantified. [43121/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In March 2008 the Government set a 25% target to reduce administrative burdens on business arising from regulations by 2012. My Department is charged with leading the cross-Government drive to reduce administrative burdens on business. This is being done in a prioritised way, drawing from the experience of other Member States involved in administrative burden reduction. Departments are currently identifying the "information obligations", contained in their legislation that are likely to be causing the biggest burdens for business.

Once identified, these priority information obligations will be measured and following this simplification plans will be developed detailing how reductions may be carried out. Work is well advanced in my Department in the measurement of information obligations arising from Company Law, Employment Law and Health and Safety Law. 34 priority information obligations have been identified across these three areas. These were identified through consultation with business groups and experts, and by comparison with the results of the measurement undertaken in the United Kingdom. It is envisaged that the measurement of these will be complete by the end of 2009.

Other Departments are now listing and prioritising information contained in legislation under their responsibility. Measurement of priorities identified across Government will be carried out during 2010. Once this phase is concluded, simplification plans will be developed. Following this, simplification will be carried out during 2011 and 2012.