Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 3

Written Answers. - Regulatory Reform.

John Bruton

Question:

351 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he will make a statement on the adoption or otherwise by his Department of the recommendations made in the OECD Review, Regulatory Reform in Ireland; and the concrete steps taken by his Department in pursuit of these recommendations since the publication of the report. [10790/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan):

The high level group on regulation, which was established by the Government to steer our action programme in response to the OECD's review, "Regulatory Reform in Ireland", published its most recent progress report in December 2002. The report is available on www.betterregulation.ie, and outlines progress made in relation to the OECD's recommendations on regulatory reform.

While the OECD review did not specifically consider the transport sector, the general thrust of its recommendations is applicable to that sector. In that context, my Department is represented on the high level group on regulation and our regulatory reform work for transport – particularly in the public transport and aviation areas – is set in the broader context of the programme of reform that is being progressed across many Departments, under the central steer of the Taoiseach's Department. This regu latory reform programme is underpinned by the programme for Government. Its aim is to improve the framework through which Irish society can have access to high quality services that are delivered in an economic and sustainable fashion.