Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understand the group was to be established in February and that then there was a delay. The Minister is now saying it will be established by the end of October now, which is not acceptable. I does not reflect well on the Government's commitment to its own national plan. It was rightly criticised for delays in creating the plan. There is serious concern about the lack of human rights due diligence by State-owned or controlled companies. I presume that is the reason for establishment of the group. Is the Minister aware that the ESB is importing millions of tonnes of coal from Colombia, specifically from the infamous Cerrejón mine? Has he been made aware that the coal is coming from mines which are notorious for destroying the environment, displacing communities and attacking local community activists? The Government is the main shareholder in the ESB. Has the Minister's Department had discussions with the ESB on the human rights due diligence that should follow, detailing the notorious abuses in the Colombian mines from where it sources coal? That is just one example. I tried to table a Topical Issue on the matter, but the Minister was not available to discuss it. It is one of the issues that highlights the need for the implementation committee.

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