Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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505. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to re-establish the previous policy of rural proofing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3385/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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I can advise the Deputy that where new legislation is proposed the current requirement is that a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), which includes a rural impact assessment, should be carried out to assess the likely effects of the proposed legislation.

As I have been recently assigned to the role of Minister for Rural Affairs, I hope to examine the practical implementation of the rural proofing requirements to ensure that new initiatives and legislation are fully assessed in terms of their impact on rural communities so that the needs of those citizens are fully considered.