Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I do not agree with the Minister in terms of an approach across the European Union. The issue is that this has now been going on for quite some time. As the Minister correctly said, other member states made a statement, including France. I believe that the Irish people would like to see the Government make a statement on this in future negotiations in the absence of an agreed EU mandate. They would not like to know that our representatives go to these negotiations, do not make a statement and are silent. The Irish people would like to see accountability for corporations and businesses with regard to how their business activities impact human rights, workers rights and climate change on a global scale. It is not unheard of that a corporation or a business can have an excellent record on these domestically in Ireland and have a poor record abroad. There has to be accountability in this. I urge the Government to be more proactive in this in the future and to be more vocal.

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