Regulatory Impact Assessments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 May 2012

Tuesday, 15 May 2012

Ceisteanna (317)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

397 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence the number and description of any regulatory impact assessments that have been undertaken by his Department on legislation or proposed legislation since 9 March 2011; the stage in the legislative / policy development process at which the RIAs have been carried out; the number of RIAs that have been published by his Department over the same period; the manner of publication involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23495/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence (Deputy Alan Shatter)

There have been no Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIA) carried out by my Department during the period in question. The Department of Defence is not a regulatory authority as commonly understood. The Defence Acts and Regulations made thereunder are for the most part, focused on the Defence Forces only and do not apply to the ordinary citizen or to business. Notwithstanding this, the Department applies the principles set out in the RIA Guidelines issued by the Department of the Taoiseach where appropriate. My Department is also represented on the RIA Network chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach.