Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
93. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views that the scope of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive should be widened, given that under the current proposal 99% of companies would be exempt. [25230/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDD) was published by the European Commission on 23rd February 2022. The proposal aims to address the adverse environmental and human rights impacts arising from the operations of companies and those of their subsidiaries and value chains.
The proposal will apply to large companies, both EU and non-EU. SMEs are not directly within scope but may be indirectly impacted under the proposal – for example, if they are part of a large company’s supply chain.
Ireland is supportive of the objective of the proposed Directive which should promote responsible business conduct and we will seek to ensure that the proposals strike the right balance by providing effective protections whilst ensuring that the measures to be implemented by companies are clear, proportionate, and enforceable.
Consideration of the proposals is at an early stage and is ongoing across EU Member States. My Department is engaging at EU working party level to clarify the practical implications for stakeholders.
I look forward to hearing the views of all those with an interest in the proposal. In this regard, I have recently met with the Irish Coalition for Business and Human Rights and my officials have also met with key stakeholders including representatives of business and civil society organisations. I intend to have further engagement with stakeholders over the coming months and will also launch a public consultation to help inform our position on the proposal.
