Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals

1:45 pm

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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We are now in public session to consider the scrutiny of four EU legislative proposals. Proposal COM (2014)1 relates to trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment or torture, is listed on Schedule A for decision. The remaining three proposals are Schedule B items. I propose to deal with Schedule B items first.

Schedule B: COM (2014) 85 is a proposal for a Council decision regarding an agreement between the EU and the Republic of Korea. COM (2014) 121 and COM (2014) 215 are proposals for a Council implementing regulations concerning the anti-subsidy measures on imports of biodiesel originating in the US. It is proposed that the proposals listed in Schedule B do not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Schedule A: COM (2014)1 is a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No. 1236/2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. This proposal will amend and update existing EU law banning trade in goods that may be used for capital punishment and torture. The annexes to the proposal list the prohibited goods. This proposal is the result of an extensive review of the existing legislation carried out by the EU Commission and an expert group in 2012. Ireland supports this proposal. There has never been an authorisation application received or issued by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation for the export of such goods and it is not expected that any applications will be received under the revised regulation. On that basis, it is proposed that the proposal does not warrant further scrutiny. Is that agreed? Agreed.

If Senator Quinn were to start up a business, perhaps he would let us know, so that we can reconsider this proposal.