Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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150. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the practical toolkit on business and human rights for public and private entities has been developed as outlined in the national plan on business and human rights; and if not, the reason therefor in view of the fact that it was due to be developed within 12 months of the publication of the national plan. [49055/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since the launch of the Government's National Plan on Business and Human Rights at the end of 2017, work on a number of the initial priorities has been completed, including the establishment of the Business and Human Rights Implementation Group and the commissioning of the baseline study on the current legislative and regulatory framework for business and human rights in Ireland. 

 A number of sub-groups are being set up to take forward implementation of other key action points identified in the National Plan, including the development of a practical toolkit on business and human rights for public and private entities to assist them in their human rights due diligence and it is expected that this task will be completed within the next year.

A key consideration is the need to avoid duplication with resources that are already available.  In this regard I would highlight the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises, which aim to promote positive contributions by enterprises to economic, environmental and social progress worldwide.  The guidelines provide principles and standards for responsible business conduct in a global context and contain a comprehensive approach to due diligence and responsible supply chain management.