My Department is represented on the high level group on regulation, established by the Government in April 2001 in response to the OECD report, Regulatory Reform in Ireland. The group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, published a progress report in December 2002. This report outlines progress made in relation to each of the OECD recommendations and is available in the Oireachtas Library and on the Department of the Taoiseach's website, www.betterregulation.ie.
Work is continuing in my Department to pursue the better regulation agenda having regard to the commitments contained in Sustaining Progress – social partnership agreement 2003-05 and as outlined in my Department's statement of strategy 2003-05. This statement is available on the Department's website, www.environ.ie, and a printed copy will be available shortly in the Oireachtas Library.