Regulations should be judged not by their intent, but by their effect. I believe that this relatively simple principle is behind much of the disagreement about policy, in Ireland and elsewhere.  It would be fantastic if we could just take for granted that everyone is familiar with this principle – that cost/benefit analysis is a valid and necessary step for new and indeed existing regulations. But, in truth, often supporters of a proposed new regulation miss that there could be negative side effects of the rule, no matter how well-intended. If this seems biased against new regulations – and perhaps…

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