Ms Bernadette Phelan:

Regarding modern slavery, human rights and the role of business within human rights is becoming hugely elevated. One can see it within the legislation. In terms of what businesses want to stand for – the consumer piece – they need to know what is happening across their supply chain. Therefore, we have been actively working with our members to understand the complexity of their supply chains to see what is happening in an Irish context as well as globally. We have had webinars where we have had An Garda Síochána talk about what is happening in an Irish context. With some of these issues, it is important to understand that if you say “human rights” and “modern slavery”, people think of it as a global issue and something that is happening “out there”, whereas we know there are infringements happening within an Irish context that are covered in the media. Some sectors are more vulnerable to it than others. For examples, there are instances in the hospitality sector and agrifood. Some of our members are actively engaging in it. We also sit with the Department of Foreign Affairs on its business human rights action plan, which is in its second iteration. It is important that we understand what “good” looks like and that we share practice. Companies want to de-risk as well as do the right thing around engaging with workers.

Building on what was said on how we are working with our members, companies want to be fit for purpose for the future. Therefore, is not shareholder framing rather it is a stakeholder framing, which is about their communities, employees, investors and consumers. All those rights and responsibilities have to be balanced.