Two EU legislative proposals for decision are listed on Schedule A, while three are listed on Schedule B. A total of 17 early warning notices are also listed for noting by the committee. I propose that we deal with the Schedule B items first.
It is proposed that the proposals listed on Schedule B - COM (2013) 142, COM (2013) 143 and COM (2013) 152, do not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed. It is also proposed that the committee note the 17 early warning notices listed on Schedule B. Is that agreed? Agreed.
There are two proposals listed on Schedule A. COM (2013) 207 is a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and the Council amending Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC on the disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by certain large companies and groups. The proposal relates to the corporate governance of large companies. Its purpose is to increase the relevance, consistency and comparability of non-financial information published by companies across the European Union, the objective being to improve companies' transparency and performance on environmental and social matters and thereby contribute to long-term economic growth and employment. The Department has indicated that this proposal will have limited application in Ireland and that no subsidiarity issues arise. However, as it will involve extra reporting obligations on large companies and the Department has yet to formally engage with stakeholders on the issue, it is proposed that the committee engage directly with stakeholders by seeking submissions from interested parties on the proposal via its website. Is that agreed? Agreed. This is an important issue. We can decide later if we want to proceed further and have a round-table discussion on the proposal.
COM (2013) 237 is a proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No. 1344/2011 suspending the autonomous common customs tariff duties on certain agricultural, fishery and industrial products. On 21 May the committee requested that an advice note be drafted on this proposal which was listed as a Schedule B item. The proposal relates to a duty suspension scheme operated by the European Union which allows operators in the Union to apply for a suspension of duty on imported raw materials. Based on the advice note provided and our discussion thereon, it is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.