Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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I remind people to exercise personal responsibility in protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. Members who are participating in the meeting remotely can do so from within the Leinster House complex only. Apologies have been received from Senator Garret Ahearn and Deputy Matt Shanahan.

Today we are going to look at the further scrutiny of EU legislative proposal, COM (2022) 71 on corporate sustainability and due diligence. A draft directive on corporate sustainability and due diligence was published by the European Commission on 23 February 2022. The proposal has been published against the backdrop of a variety of other European Union issues in the environmental, social and governance area. The proposal aims to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour throughout global value chains. The measures will help to enable the European Union to meet its commitment on the EU green deal and the United Nations sustainable development goals. The proposals will require companies to develop and adopt due diligence policies and procedures to prevent, mitigate, or bring to an end, adverse environmental and human rights impacts which arise from their operations, those of their subsidiaries or in their value chains.

I am pleased we have the opportunity today to consider these matters further with the following representatives: I welcome Mr. Conor Linehan, senior counsel solicitor, vice-chair of the environment and planning law committee at the Law Society; Ms Caroline Spillane, chartered director, chief executive officer, Institute of Directors in Ireland; Ms Karen Hennessy, chartered director, Institute of Directors in Ireland member and chief executive of Real Leaf Farm; and Ms Anne Mannion, head of marketing and communications, Institute of Directors in Ireland.

Before we start, I wish to explain some of the limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of the Houses regarding references members or witnesses may make to another person when giving evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present or who give evidence within the parliamentary precincts, is protected pursuant to both the constitution of statute by absolute privilege. Witnesses are again reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way to make him, her, or it, identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

The opening statements have been circulated to all members and to commence our consideration of this matter, I invite Mr. Conor Linehan of the Law Society to make his opening remarks.