The aim of this website is to provide information on Better Regulation - an important part of the Government's drive for greater economic competitiveness and modernisation of the Public Service.
LATEST NEWS
Friday, 26th February 2010
Government and Regulators Meet on Economic Strategy
The Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen, T.D., today convened a new Annual Regulatory Forum focused on ensuring that the economic regulatory system in Ireland is “fit for purpose”, robust and responsive to changing economic, environmental and social needs.
The meeting held in Farmleigh House today was attended by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and by the Ministers for Transport, Communications, Energy & Natural Resources and the Attorney General. Nine key economic regulators participated in the meeting (see attached). The establishment of this Annual Forum was one of the key commitments in the Government’s Statement on Economic Regulation published last October.
The regulatory system in Ireland is seen as accessible and agile and part of the country’s positive environment for business. It needs to be continually adjusted to reflect the changing markets, new technological developments, the climate change agenda and international regulatory environment. It must also support new and green technology and industries in line with the Government’s Framework for Economic Renewal (Building Ireland’s Smart Economy).
The Taoiseach indicated after the meeting that
“today was a useful opportunity for Government to outline its priorities for economic recovery and renewal and to work with regulators in a more joined-up way on the contribution which a robust and responsive regulatory system can make to growing enterprise and jobs.”
In terms of follow-up, he said
“we have tasked the Departments and regulators to ensure that regulatory frameworks, including the powers and mandates of economic regulators, are sufficiently robust to be able to respond to major shocks and changes in their sectors and in the wider economy as identified in contingency planning.”
I have asked for a report on the outcome of this “stress testing” of the regulatory systems to be completed by end-year and departments and regulators will engage on an ongoing basis to drive delivery of the commitments in the Government’s Statement.
26th February, 2010
Ends
Attendance
An Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Mary Coughlan, T.D.
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Eamon Ryan T.D.
Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D.
Attorney General, Mr. Paul Gallagher SC
Senior Officials
Mr. Dermot McCarthy, Secretary General, D/Taoiseach
Mr. Aidan Dunning, Secretary General, D/CENR
Mr. Sean Gorman, Secretary General, D/ETE
Mr. Tom O’Mahony, Secretary General, D/Transport
Mr. Donal McNally, Second Secretary General, D/Finance
And other Senior Officials from Government Departments
Regulators
Michael O’Keefe, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
Bob Collins, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland
Cathal Guiomard, Commission for Aviation Regulation
Alex Chisholm, Commission for Communications Regulation
Mike Byrne, Commission for Communications Regulation
Michael Tutty, Commission for Energy Regulation
Garrett Blaney, Commission for Energy Regulation
Dermot Nolan, Commission for Energy Regulation
Kathleen Doyle, Commission for Taxi Regulation
Declan Purcell, The Competition Authority
Matthew Elderfield, The Financial Regulator
Gerry Murphy, The National Transport Authority
Ann Fitzgerald, The National Consumer Agency
Thursday, 1st October 2009
Taoiseach Announces New Forum for Regulators
The Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., today announced the establishment of a new Annual Regulatory Forum at which the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Finance and relevant sectoral Ministers will discuss public policy and regulatory priorities relating to the economy, competitiveness and competition with key economic regulators.
The new forum, which will meet in the first quarter of each year, is being announced as part of a range of measures contained in the Government Statement on Economic Regulation published today. The Statement will act as a framework for Ireland’s on-going approach to regulating key economic sectors. In particular, it addresses the need to strengthen consumer input into regulators’ activities and to ensure that the views of regulated suppliers are balanced by a strong consumer voice. This will be achieved through consultation with industry and consumers who will now have a formal role in scrutinising planned expenditure and levies.
The Taoiseach noted the importance of the actions outlined in the Government Statement and stated that: “we need to ensure that the legal mandates and actions taken by regulators fully take account of changes in the market and the broader economywhile having regard to the requirements of EU law”. The Statement includes a commitment to review the role and mandates of key economic regulators every five years and emphasises the importance of scrutiny and oversight of regulators by Government Departments. In particular, contingency planning will be used to ensure that regulatory frameworks are sufficiently robust to be able to respond to major sectoral or economic shocks.
The Government Statement is being published in tandem with the Review of the Economic Regulatory Environment. Arising from a commitment in the Programme for Government, the Economist Intelligence Unit, in partnership with Compecon, were commissioned to undertake this independent Review.
The Review benchmarks a number of key regulators against their international counterparts across a range of criteria such as accountability and governance; adequacy of mandates and operational costs. It focuses in particular on the communications, energy, transport, financial services and health and safety sectors. Taking account of EU requirements and best practice elsewhere, the Review concludes that the present system of independent economic regulation continues to the best model for Ireland.
ENDS
Government Statement on Economic Regulation
Review of the Economic Regulatory Environment
Related Press Release by the Minister for Transport - 1st October 2009
Dempsey to include aviation regulatory functions in proposed new National Transport Authority
The Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey, T.D., today announced his intention to amalgamate the Commission for Aviation Regulation and the regulatory functions of the Irish Aviation Authority with the planned new National Transport Authority and to bring forward legislation in that regard at an early date. Details of the proposed National Transport Authority are contained in the Public Transport Regulation Bill which has recently been published.
Speaking today, the Minister acknowledged the significance of the announcement stating "the decision to bring together the key transport regulators in this way is a very tangible example of the Government's commitment to ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of Ireland's economic regulatory environment". More detailed proposals to give effect to the announcement are being developed and will be made available shortly.
The intended amalgamation fits well with the wide range of actions set out in the Government Statement on Economic Regulation which was launched today by the Taoiseach. The Statement covers issues such as: governance and accountability arrangements; suitability of structures and scrutiny of expenditure and consumer and industry consultation and offers a framework for the development of economic regulation in Ireland.
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Friday, 12th June 2009
Revised Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Guidelines have now been published. These revised Guidelines take into account the recommendations from the Report on the Review of the Operation of RIA which was published in July 2008.
Press Release Friday, 29th May 2009
Taoiseach announces Major Bill to overhaul obsolete laws
The Taoiseach, Mr Brian Cowen, T.D., has today announced the publication of the Statute Law Revision Bill 2009 which when enacted will repeal 1,350 obsolete Acts pre-dating independence.
This Bill is the fourth major piece of statute law reform legislation and in tandem with the Statute Law Revision Act 2007 constitutes one of the most extensive statute law revision programmes ever attempted anywhere in the world.
The Bill will repeal all obsolete Local and Personal Acts passed prior to 1850 and all obsolete Private Acts passed prior to 1750, and will leave in force only a limited list of such Acts which are still relevant today. Private Acts are those which deal with the affairs of a single individual or body, and Local and Personal Acts deal with matters affecting a very limited section of the community such as a single local authority or company.
Examples of the Acts to be repealed include the last of the penal laws, such as legislation prohibiting Catholics from owning certain lands or holding certain positions. An Act of 1714 which enabled the Prince of Wales to qualify himself for the legal enjoyment of the office of Chancellor of the University of Dublin will also be repealed. Also of interest is a Private Act of 1726 which provided for the naturalisation of George Frederick Handel and others.
This Bill will dovetail with the Statute Law Revision Acts of 2005 and 2007 which, combined provided for the repeal of almost 3,500 obsolete Public General Acts.
This Bill is a major step in a process to revise the overall Statute Book. It will set out a list of the Acts specifically repealed, and will also retain in force a specified list of Acts which are of continuing relevance.
ENDS