Corporate Governance

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2019

Thursday, 16 May 2019

Questions (96)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

96. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the role her Department plays in ensuring that multinationals here operate according to the principles laid down in the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21274/19]

Written answers

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation

The Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) is a non-binding ILO instrument providing guidance to enterprises on social policy and inclusive, responsible and sustainable workplace practices. Its principles are addressed to MNEs, governments of home and host countries, and employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Declaration sets out principles in the fields of employment, training, conditions of work and life and industrial relations which governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations and multinational enterprises are recommended to observe on a voluntary basis; its principles does not limit or otherwise affect obligations arising out of ratification of any ILO Convention.

Adopted by the Governing Body of the ILO in November 1977 the instrument has been amended several times, most lately in March 2017. The Governing Body of the ILO then adopted a range of operational tools, including encouraging the appointment of tripartite agreed national focal-points to promote the use of the MNE Declaration and its principles, whenever appropriate and meaningful in the national context. Governments of MNE host countries should promote good social practice in accordance with this Declaration among multinational enterprises operating in their territories.

Currently, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Unit of my Department promotes the Declaration as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility for Larger Companies. The appointment of a National Focal Point is subject to tripartite agreement and my Department has been engaging with the Social Partners in this regard.