asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the steps he has taken, and the effects thereof, to reduce the scale of Government imposed costs on industry; and his plans in this regard.
Written Answers. - Government-Imposed Costs on Industry.
16.
As the Deputy may appreciate, I have very little direct function in relation to Government imposed costs on industry, many of which are related to taxation measures. However I am particularly concerned at the administrative costs incurred by industry in complying with the many Government requirements that have accumulated in the past years.
The Government have decided that a programme should be initiated throughout the public service aimed at easing statutory and administrative requirements on industry and on business generally. The programme will involve a review by each Department of their statutory and information requirements, and those of the bodies under their aegis, which impact on business and the preparation of a report on requirements which are no longer necessary or can be simplified, including a timetable for this action. The reports will be forwarded to me for assessment by the Industrial Costs Monitoring Group which will maintain a formal liaison with associations and groups representing industry.
Departments are also to introduce procedures to have compliance cost assessments made of all proposed new regulations or changes in requirements affecting industry, and to consult as necessary with the relevant industrial interests.
I have responsibility for co-ordinating the programme and will be reporting to Government on overall progress towards the end of this year and at yearly intervals thereafter.
The programme is a major part of the Government's strategy of improving the business environment and I am confident that it can make a substantial contribution over time to improving the competitiveness of Irish industry.