Denis Naughten
Question:201 Mr. Naughten asked the Taoiseach the recommendations in the OECD report on regulatory reform which have been implemented to date. [12610/03]
Written Answers. - OECD Recommendations.
The high level group on regulation was established in May 2001, following publication of the OECD review on regulatory reform in Ireland. Its aim was to develop and co-ordinate the Better Regulation agenda, with particular regard to the institutional and policy proposals required on foot of the OECD's report. To date the group has met 16 times. In November 2002 it reported to Government on its progress. In December 2002 the report was published on the website, www.betterregulation.ie. Copies have been placed in the Dáil Library. The report outlines progress made in relation to the OECD's recommendations on regulatory reform up to November 2002.
Since the report was published work has continued in my Department and other Departments on the implementation of the OECD recommendations. Progress made to date on the implementation of sector specific recommendations are a matter for the relevant Minister. I draw the Deputy's attention to the answers to the Parliamentary Question answered by all Ministers on Tuesday, 15 April, on the progress made to date on the implementation of the OECD recommendations on regulatory reform.
The high level group on regulation continues to focus on two main areas: preparation of a national policy statement on regulatory reform; and development of a model of regulatory impact analysis.
To inform the formulation of the national policy statement the 90 submissions received in response to the consultation document Towards Better Regulation were studied and analysed. In December 2002 my Department published a booklet containing two papers; the first summarising the submissions received and the second offering an independent analysis and commentary on the submissions by an independent economist. More than 1,000 copies of the booklet have been sent to interested parties and copies have been placed in the Dáil Library.
In January a drafting group composed of senior officials from key Departments was formed to commence preparation of a draft national policy statement/White Paper on regulation. While a specific date for publication has not been set, it is anticipated the draft text of the policy statement will be submitted to Government in the summer with a view to publication later in the year.
Work on the development of a system of regulatory impact analysis as recommended by the OECD in its report is also continuing. RIA is a policy tool designed to identify and quantify, where possible, the impact of new and existing regulations. A working group of officials has been developing a model that would be suitable for the Irish policy making context.
Significant progress has been made in the area of better regulation since the establishment of the high level group on regulation. It will continue to monitor and co-ordinate progress in this area.