George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)

I thank the witnesses. This is a really important area we are discussing. I am sorry I had to step out for part of the meeting. Scrutiny of the omnibus package is really important for our entire Continent and for the country. From what I gather, it is about simplifying, reporting and due diligence. We have made remarkable moves over the decades on workers' rights, human rights and environmental improvements. The geopolitical situation has made "regulation" a dirty word. We hear much of that coming from our friends in the United States Government who see regulation as something to be set aside and got rid of at the expense of many things. I would hate to think this could become a race to the bottom. I was a little concerned when I heard Ms Clarke say that there is a 100% workaround and that companies will be able to avoid this and walk away from it in an underhand way.

Is the longer due diligence period, which is to move from annually to five years, something that would concern both of the bodies here? Is it a step too far in the context of the reporting required?

I am also concerned that this is being introduced in the context of the likes of Mercosur and in the context of European and world trade. We all know people’s concerns on this. I would welcome the witnesses' comments on it in the context of workers' rights, the environment and the quality of product.

It is great to hear there is agreement between IBEC and the ICBHR on the risk-based approach. However, will the witnesses comment on the 100% workaround and how that will impact on the companies we are talking about? How we can alleviate those problems and difficulties and that get-out clause, as it were, for the companies involved?