asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he is conducting an audit of paperwork requirements imposed by his Department, or by agencies under his aegis, on business; if so, when the audit commenced; the named officer, if any, in charge of the audit, if any report thereon has yet been presented to the Minister for Industry and Commerce; if so, the contents thereof; if any practices or regulations have yet been altered as a result of the audit; if so, the details thereof; if he has prepared any report on the compliance costs to industry of legislation being prepared by his Department; the way in which these reports compare in content, scope or purpose with reports on this subject already required by decisions of the previous Government; and if he will outline the subjects being covered by the audit now being conducted in his Department.
Written Answers. - Audit of Paperwork.
A review of the statutory and information requirements of my Department and bodies under its aegis which impact on business and industry was recently undertaken. The review is part of a programme initiated by the Minister for Industry and Commerce aimed at easing unnecessary legislative and administrative burdens on business and industry. The review within my Department is still in progress.
The scope for easing burdens on business and industry as far as this Department is concerned is not great. The bulk of requirements derive from compliance with EC legislation which in many cases specify in detail the lay-out and content of forms and procedures to be observed. Non-compliance with regulations could result in the loss of revenue to industry and to the Exchequer.