Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
330. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that will be taken to ensure that the EU develops a legal analysis of the UN treaty and acquires a negotiation mandate given that the EU attended the sixth annual session to negotiate a UN treaty to regulate transnational corporations and other business enterprises without a negotiation mandate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40378/20]
View answerAs I have previously stated, Ireland supports a constructive and engaged approach by the European Union in regard to the proposed legally binding instrument that it being developed by the open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group (OEIGWG) on Transnational Corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights.
The sixth session of the open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and other business enterprises took place from 26 to 30 October last. The European Union delivered a statement on behalf of Member States and separately raised specific concerns relating to the draft text on behalf of Member States. The EU statement welcomed some of the changes to the latest draft of the legally binding instrument, highlighted further necessary changes and outlined the many measures under way in the EU and across Member States to give greater protection to human rights in the context of business activities.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Working Group recently indicated that a third draft of the Treaty will be published, taking account of the inputs at the sixth session of the OEIGWG. My understanding is that this further draft of the Legally Binding Instrument is expected in the third quarter of 2021. Once this draft is issued, I would expect the European Commission to provide the relevant legal analysis.
