Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the number of staff that are assigned from all Departments to the high-level group on business regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19359/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Membership of the High Level Group comprises eight senior public servants, representatives from business organisations (IBEC, ISME, SFA, IBF), a representative from ICTU, and an academic representative. Details of the membership of the Group is as follows.

In addition my Department provides Secretarial support to the Group and supports and coordinates the cross-Government drive to reduce administrative burdens by 25% by 2012.

The Group's membership is as follows:

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when the high-level group on business regulation will complete its consultation and report on its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19360/10]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation when the high-level group on business regulation will deliberate on the regulatory burden faced by the small medium enterprise sector; when it will report its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19361/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.

The High Level Group on Business Regulation was set up in 2007 to provide a forum for dialogue between business and Government. Its objective is to find ways to reduce administrative burdens on business arising from regulation.

The Group acts as a clearing house for specific red tape issues raised by business, and engages with the relevant Government Departments and Agencies in seeking solutions.

I am well aware that the burden of regulation falls disproportionately on SMEs. Even though they may have small numbers of staff, they have to comply with much of the same regulation as larger firms, and deal with much the same level of paperwork. It is for this reason that the work of the High Level Group is essential to improving the cost base of SMEs in Ireland. I would like to assure the Deputy that the interests of SMEs are to the forefront of the High Level Group's agenda.

On 11 May 2010 my colleague Minister Kelleher launched a series of workshops which are aimed at finding ways to reduce burdens on business including SMEs. These workshops will look at simplifying the burden on business in the area of Company Law, Employment Law and Health and Safety Law.

I would encourage businesses and their representative organisations to participate as fully as possible in these events so that we can work together to drive down the cost of red tape by the targeted 25%.

The High Level Group reported to Government on its first year's work in July 2008. Its report is available on the Department's website. I propose to submit the second report of the Group to Government shortly.