Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is one Schedule A proposal for decision and there are eight proposals and three notices listed in Schedule B for decision. I propose to deal with Schedule B items first. The proposals listed under Schedule B are as follows: COM (2013) 688, COM (2013) 689, COM (2013) 718, COM (2013) 746, COM (2013) 802, COM (2013) 835, COM (2013) 926 and COM (2014) 3. We also have three early warning notices, as follows: EWN (2013) L 316-8; EWN (2013) C 371-19; and EWN (2013) C372-21. It is proposed that the proposals and notices listed in Schedule B do not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Under Schedule A we have one proposal, COM (2013) 813 (final), a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of undisclosed know-how and business information - trade secrets - against their unlawful acquisition, use and disclosure. This proposal seeks to protect business know-how and commercially sensitive and valuable information or trade secrets against theft, misuse or disclosure. It will introduce consistent rules across the Internal Market. The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation welcomes it and negotiations on the specific provisions of legislation will be informed by a public consultation by the Department, currently under way. We will be able to raise this with the Minister at the next meeting before the meeting of the EU Council of Ministers.