Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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156. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of the recent statements by the German Chancellor and the French President calling for the entire abolition of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD); if he agrees with these sentiments; if he will defend CSDDD at EU level and publicly commit to enacting national due diligence legislation that prioritises protecting rights and the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28096/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) provides that in-scope companies must, for the first time, conduct risk-based human rights and environmental due diligence and integrate due diligence into all corporate policies and risk management systems. The European Commission’s ‘omnibus on sustainability’ which was published on 26 February 2025 includes proposals for legislative change across a number of areas including the CSDDD. In the context of optimising the competitiveness of EU companies in the evolving global trading environment and ensuring proportionality, I am supportive in principle of initiatives to simplify the reporting requirements and reduce costs on companies, and most especially for SMEs. However, this does not mean abandoning the CSDDD, but rather giving careful consideration to the proposals for change. We want better regulation, not deregulation. Legislative initiatives in this area are best progressed, where possible, at EU level in recognition of the complex, international nature of many supply chains and to ensure harmonisation, promote policy coherence and avoid the risk of fragmentation within the EU single market. An EU approach will also be more persuasive and impactful as regards the desired outcome across international value chains. For these reasons, Ireland is supportive of due diligence legislation on an EU-wide basis rather than through unilateral domestic legislation. The updated CSDDD will, once agreed at EU level, be transposed in due course in Ireland.