Brendan McGahon
Ceist:139 Mr. McGahon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress regarding the regulatory reform consequent on a recent OECD report on this issue. [28609/01]
Written Answers. - Regulatory Reform.
The OECD Report on Regulatory Reform in Ireland published last spring commented on the many positive aspects of Ireland's regulatory regime but also highlighted areas where progress must be made in eliminating entry restrictions to sectors of economic activity.
The Government has set up structures to implement the OECD recommendations. The measures include the establishment of a high level group on regulation under the chairmanship of the Department of the Taoiseach to oversee implementation of Ireland's response to the OECD report; the preparation of a major national policy statement on regulatory reform; the development of a new mechanism – regulatory impact assessment – by which Departments and public bodies will be required to analyse and measure the impacts on society of any regulations being proposed; requesting the Competition Authority to initiate a comprehensive study of the professional services sector; and requesting the Commission on Liquor Licensing to produce further interim reports and acceleration of a review of the Health (Community Pharmacy Contractor Agreement) Regulations governing the award of general medical service contracts to pharmacies.
The high level group has been meeting regularly since the publication of the OECD report. The Competition Authority has undertaken a consultation process for a study of the professions and will be announcing the professions to be examined shortly. In regard to the pub sector the Commission on Liquor Licensing has published an interim report on the off-licence trade. The Minister for Health and Children has appointed a review group to examine the regulations governing pharmacy and the group has recently advertised for submissions. Work is also progressing on preparation of a major national policy statement on regulatory reform and on the development of a regulatory impact assessment mechanism.
These developments indicate that good progress is being made on the regulatory reform agenda and the Government is committed to maintaining this momentum.