Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
52. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 11 May 2023, the status of his Department’s engagement with the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to developing a new action plan on business and human rights; the status of plans to reconvene the Business and Human Rights Stakeholder Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31544/23]
View answerI recognise the importance of businesses having a focus on human rights. Society is expecting companies to consider the impact on human rights in the way they do their business. Companies have reacted well since Ireland launched the National Plan on Business and Human Rights (2017 -2020) towards the end of 2017. Ireland became the 19th state in the world to develop a National Plan. In December 2021, a review of the implementation of the Plan was brought to government. It found that over 91% of commitments under the Plan were achieved, with plans to implement the remainder.
My department is liaising frequently with the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to supporting plans to re-convene a Business and Human Rights stakeholder forum, involving representatives of Government, civil society and business, including from my own Department.
Scoping and mapping exercises are well progressed, setting out what initiatives are underway, significant upcoming actions and identifying any gaps or areas that need greater input and scrutiny. It is intended that a paper will be produced, outlining the variety of instruments being developed and enacted within government departments for this multi-stakeholder group. This will then set the basis for stakeholder consultation for a new Business and Human Rights plan and implementation body. The group will convene in H2 of this year and the plan is expected to cover a multi-annual timeframe as was covered in the first plan.
