David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ms McDonagh stated in her submission that we know consumers pay close attention to a brand's social justice efforts before purchasing a product and want to know what the brands they support are doing to address social issues. Mr. Griffiths said something similar, namely that there is no doubt that, in today's world, both customers and staff of businesses expect to buy from and work for companies with values and standards they can identify with and are in turn proud to support. Those are two very profound statements and what they refer to leads to a paradigm shift. There are companies that do their thing, report to America or wherever they come from and do not get involved in the community at all. Customers and staff want to know what brands are doing to address social issues. Are there studies in this regard to which the delegates can point? If they do not have them here, they might send them on to us. The two statements were profound.

How do the companies, corporations and businesses begin to reach out to their own communities? Ms McDonagh said companies are not islands with a silent existence and that, by dint of operating in a place, their actions cause ripples. How can they become more proactive and reach out? In many cases, they do not have the training or mindset. Their mindset might be to produce something, provide a service or make a profit. Mr. Griffiths might like to begin.