Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the Taoiseach about his position on the newly published draft corporate sustainability due diligence directive from the European Commission. We desperately need laws ensuring corporate accountability throughout the supply chain, regarding human rights, labour rights and environmental rights, but it appears the Commission has gone for the lowest common denominator position, with loopholes to carve out the vast majority of corporations in this country and across the EU. For example, 99% of Irish businesses would be excluded because the proposed legislation will apply only to companies with an annual turnover of more than €150 million and with more than 500 employees. That would exclude, for example, the Dublin-based Coal Marketing Company, which sells coal from the infamous Cerrejón mine in Colombia, from where communities nearby face pollution of their air and water. Another loophole would allow companies to offload responsibility through a contract onto their suppliers. Will the Taoiseach work to strengthen this proposal?

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