Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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461. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Government’s position in relation to the need for a UN binding treaty on business and human rights, in order to tackle corporate impunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55263/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The question of Business and Human rights is an important area of focus for the Government and my Department. Ireland was among the first countries in the world to develop a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and we are also a strong supporter of the EU’s Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020 – 2024 which contains many relevant commitments in this field.

Ireland and the European Union believe that a legally binding instrument on business and human rights which is legally sound and enjoys wider support from States and stakeholders, has the potential to enhance global protections against business related human rights abuses where they occur.

As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland engages with the Open Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises and on the Treaty process through the European Union. At the recent October negotiating session, the European Union engaged constructively by providing elements for the discussion based on current EU legislative proposals relevant to the negotiations.

At the conclusion of the October meeting, the European Union indicated that it stands ready to continue to engage with the Chair, as well as other States and stakeholders to take the process forward. Ireland firmly supports this constructive position and looks forward to development of a legally sound instrument enjoying wide and cross regional support which can assist us in delivering a genuinely useful instrument in this important work.