Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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51. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which all enterprises existing and-or new foreign direct investment or indigenous continue to be screened to ensure a smooth and unimpeded operation of their enterprise and the elimination of administrative obstacles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43330/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Good regulation aims to provide a stable base for economic activity and a level playing field for all businesses, while also protecting workers, consumers and the environment.  Better Regulation Policy aims to ensure that the processes for generating new regulation, and for evaluating existing regulation, are as effective and efficient as possible.  Regulation should achieve the policy goals underpinning it in the least costly manner possible, without undermining the protections that regulation provides.

In the recent World Bank's Doing Business Report 2017 Ireland is ranked 18th for Ease of Doing Business, out of 190 countries, and in the top ten for ease of starting a business.  This means that Ireland is highly regarded internationally as a great place in which to do business, which is a key factor in Ireland's ability to attract Foreign Direct Investment.

The Action Plan for Jobs 2017 outlines a number of commitments relating to improving the ease of doing business and reducing burdens, for instance the drive to bring all Government services on line, and the development of an SME test  to ensure that policymakers “Think Small First” when considering new proposals that will have an impact on enterprise.

My Department has continued to engage closely with the business community through bodies such as the Retail Forum and the Advisory Group on Small Business, along with extensive stakeholder engagement on Brexit.  Next month my Department will also host the Taking Care of Business event at Dublin Castle which aims to put approximately 500 members of the business community face to face with up to 30 state bodies and services, so they can learn more about the aid and supports available to them.