Strategy to Reduce 'Red Tape' in Business – May '07
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr. Micheal Martin TD, launched the report of the Business Regulation Forum on 25th April 2007. The Business Regulation Forum was established in 2005 by Minister Martin, to advise and report on how regulatory procedures are impacting on business and competitiveness. The Forum looked particularly at difficulties arising from inefficient, disproportionate or outdated regulations.
The report by the Business Regulation Forum has estimated that Government regulations could be costing businesses up to €500 million each year. The Forum identified the following priority areas for action to reduce the regulatory burden:
- Taxation returns;
- Health and Safety requirements;
- Statistical requirements;
- Environmental legislation;
- Employment and Company law.
In his announcement, Mr. Martin explained that, by international standards, Ireland is not an over-regulated economy, and that Ireland has been ranked in the top ten in international surveys examining the attractiveness of Ireland as a business location. The Minister pointed out, however, that other EU countries are striving to reduce 'red tape' in business, and that Ireland must do the same.