Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On EU sanctions, we do not adopt unilateral sanctions, as I outlined in the context my reply on common foreign and security policy.

On an Teachta Connolly's comments, my understanding is the joint committee was satisfied by a single sitting. It decided that no further scrutiny was required. I regret the regulatory impact assessment was not shared. There was no particular reason for that. There were only three respondents to the public consultation, but I will ensure the Deputy and the committee members get that assessment as soon as possible following this debate.

The Deputy and a number of others raised the issue of SMEs. The reality is that the impact of this Bill on compliant exporters will be negligible. The Deputy also asked about annual reports. These are generally published in the first half of the following year for the preceding year. The 2022 report should be published before the end of June. She will understand there were reasons for last year's report being delayed in the context of the pandemic. I again assure her we will provide her with a copy of the regulatory impact assessment.

I again thank all the Deputies. There were some interesting perspectives that were useful to hear, although many of the issues raised are outside the scope of this Department. I also thank Deputies for acknowledging the massive work that has been put in by officials in my Department who have turned this very detailed legislation around very quickly, while balancing a huge number of other priorities in this section. I place on record my thanks to them.

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