Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 352: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number and description of any regulatory impact assessments that have been undertaken by his Department on legislation or proposed legislation since 9 March 2011; the stage in the legislative / policy development process at which the RIAs have been carried out; the number of RIAs that have been published by his Department over the same period; the manner of publication involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23497/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department has completed and published the following Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) since my appointment, relating to the following legislation / policy proposals;

1. The Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2011

2. The Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2011

3. The Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011

4. The EU Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU)

5. European Union (Stage II Petrol Vapour Recovery During Refuelling of Motor Vehicles at Service Stations) Regulations 2011

6. European Communities (Technical Specifications for the chemical analysis and monitoring of water status) Regulations 2011 which relate to quality control and quality assurance of water sampling and analysis

7. Proposed Amendment of Part K (Stairways, Ladders, Ramps and Guards) of the Building Regulations and accompanying Technical Guidance Document K

8. Proposed Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2012.

RIAs are generally undertaken within my Department at an early stage in the policy development process, as they are regarded as a valuable tool in deciding the best approach to take, and it is the normal practice to attach the RIA to the relevant Memorandum seeking approval from Government.

The above RIAs are published on my Department's website.

A further RIA has been undertaken relating to the assessment of the impact of 3 key areas of Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2011, viz.:

(a) extension of Residential Tenancies Act to the Voluntary &

Cooperative housing sector;

(b) proposal to address illegal deposit retention; and

(c) proposal to address rent arrears.

It is intended that this Bill, along with the RIA, will be published later this year.