Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
49. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which his Department is assessing the provisions of the EU omnibus simplification package; concerns arising out of the assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11692/26]
View answerThere is a particular focus on simplification and burden reduction at EU level with a view to improving EU competitiveness and ensuring there aren’t disproportionate burdens on business.
The importance of reform is being pushed strongly by EU leaders with the October 2024 European Council calling for a “simplification revolution” by ensuring a clear, simple, smart, and innovation / SME-friendly regulatory framework, without undermining predictability, policy goals and high standards. More recently, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated that the simplification agenda remains far from complete, emphasising that simplification must become the guiding mindset for all future work.
To date, the Commission has published ten simplification Omnibus packages, across a range of policy areas, with further proposals expected in 2026. The Commission estimates that these ten packages will together lead to a reduction in administrative costs of approximately €15 billion a year and has set a target for annual cost savings of €37.5 billion by the end of the current Commission’s mandate.
Ireland has been supportive of the Omnibus proposals published so far and we wish to see an ongoing focus on reducing disproportionate regulatory burdens for business, particularly SMEs, while seeking to strike the appropriate balance in terms of standards and effective protections for stakeholders.
