Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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427. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Ireland was supportive or critical of the ultimate position taken by the EU Council on the Omnibus package at the recent EU Council meeting regarding the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39698/25]

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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428. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if Ireland raised the issue of harmonised civil liability, the need for enforcement of climate action plans, the deviation from a risk based approach, and provisions for stakeholder and trade union engagement during the adoption of the Council’s General Approach on the CSDDD as part of the EU simplification package; if not, the rationale for not actively contributing to the discussion given the Minister of State’s prior commitment to defending the core principles of the Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39699/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 428 together.

Following negotiations over a series of meetings, the Polish Presidency achieved a Coreper mandate on 23 June 2025 for future negotiations with the European Parliament on the content aspect of the Omnibus I proposal. Ireland has sought to play a constructive role in these negotiations.

I welcome the progress made to date on the Omnibus which will significantly help EU enterprises, and most of all our SMEs. While changes have been proposed to the published Directive, in the context of the EU simplification and burden reduction agenda, the intention remains to promote responsible business conduct. In-scope companies will be required to conduct risk-based human rights and environmental due diligence and integrate due diligence into all corporate policies and risk management systems.

I understand that the European Parliament are expected to adopt a position on the proposals later in 2025, after which it is expected that trilogue negotiations will then commence.