Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)

My first question relates to the European Commission and what it stated in its promotion of legislation, namely:

Reports [from companies] often omit information that investors and other stakeholders think is important. Reported information can be hard to compare from company to company, and users of the information are often unsure [of what] they can trust [in] it.

[...]

High quality and reliable public reporting by companies will help create a culture of greater public accountability.

The witnesses will agree that the latter is hugely important.

Earlier, Mr. Forde, stated that the CSRD:

... ensures that investors and other stakeholders have access to information to assess investment risks arising from climate change and other sustainability issues. While it is, in essence, a reporting directive, its impact aims to contribute to a more strategic and focused approach across companies on sustainability matters.

Would Mr. Forde say that the reason for the stop-the-clock proposal relating to the directive is to minimise the risk to investors rather than to relieve the regulatory burden on companies?