Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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202. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the basis for his response to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 19 June 2025 that the EU Omnibus proposal is “better regulation and not deregulation” in circumstances (details supplied) where the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has stated that the Omnibus package is intended to deliver deregulation; if his Department accepts that the purpose of the Omnibus is deregulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68136/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The reform agenda is being strongly driven by EU leaders with the European Council calling for a “simplification revolution” by ensuring a clear, simple and smart regulatory framework for businesses and reducing administrative, regulatory and reporting burdens, in particular for SMEs. In June 2025, the European Council called for the avoidance of over-regulation and the introduction of administrative burdens throughout the legislative process.

I welcome measures put forward by the European Commission relating to simplification and better regulation which reduce the regulatory burden on business, in particular for SMEs, and improve the competitiveness of EU companies in the evolving global trading environment. We need to focus on reducing disproportionate regulatory burdens for business, while maintaining high levels of ambition in terms of protection and standards. The issue here is about finding an appropriate balance – this is not about deregulation.

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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203. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has conducted any regulatory impact assessment of the Omnibus proposals; and if so, if the Government will publish them; the concerns he has identified for workers and communities in company value chains, as well as impacts on the environment and climate action arising from deregulatory changes at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68137/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Omnibus proposals from the European Commission are at various stages of negotiation. The question of whether to conduct a Regulatory Impact Analysis at a domestic level arises in the context of giving effect in Irish law to the final text agreed at EU level.

Given the reference to company value chains, I am taking it that the Deputy is referring specifically to the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD) aspects of the Omnibus on Sustainability. I welcome progress to date on the proposal which is about finding an appropriate balance between obligations on business and ensuring adequate protections for the environment, climate and those impacted by the operations of companies. It is important to recognise that in-scope companies would, for the first time, have legal obligations to conduct risk-based human rights and environmental due diligence and integrate due diligence into all corporate policies and risk management systems.

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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204. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in reference to the response to a parliamentary question, the reason he and his Department did not meet with business or civil society as key stakeholders regarding the Omnibus on the Corporate Sustainability and Due Diligence Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68138/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I can advise the Deputy that since the publication of the Omnibus on Sustainability, officials from my Department, both in Dublin and Brussels, have engaged with a range of stakeholders concerning this omnibus proposal. These include meetings with civil society organisations and business representatives, the most recent meeting being with the Irish Coalition for Business and Human Rights on 24 November 2025.

Officials from my Department have also presented to the Enterprise Forum and the Responsible Business Forum on the Omnibus proposal.