Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA)

Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) is a tool for structured exploration of different options to address particular policy issues. The process was introduced by the Better Regulation Unit at the Department of the Taoiseach in 2005 to promote the active consideration of alternatives to regulation or lighter forms of regulation. RIA is also useful where legislation has already been committed to by Government, in which case the aim is to identify the appropriate implementation option.