Press release
Tánaiste and Minister Calleary launch public consultation for new National Plan on Business and Human Rights
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, and Minister of State with responsibility for Trade Promotion at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Dara Calleary, today called for interested stakeholders to submit their views on the development of Ireland’s second National Plan on Business and Human Rights. Further information is available: National Plan on Business and Human Rights.
Like its predecessor, the first National Plan on Business and Human Rights (2017- 2020), the new National Plan aims to support Ireland’s implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, a set of guidelines developed by the UN Special Representative on human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises.
The Tánaiste said:
"The promotion and protection of human rights is a core value for Ireland and is at the heart of Ireland’s work at home and abroad. It is important that this commitment to human rights is reflected in our business activities, wherever they may be.
"The government is dedicated to advancing work on business and human rights, including by building on Ireland’s first National Plan on Business and Human Rights. I strongly encourage all interested stakeholders to engage in these important public consultations."
Minister Calleary said:
"Consumers, employees, investors and shareholders, as well as the wider public rightly expect companies to do business in a sustainable and responsible manner. Companies who embrace and protect human rights are at a competitive advantage and ultimately will add value in the long term. The government welcomes these rising standards and continues to support enterprise in meeting this challenge as part of its Responsible Business agenda.
"I encourage businesses of all sizes and across all sectors to take the chance to contribute to the development of the National Plan for Business and Human Rights. The insight of enterprise, including SMEs and social enterprises, will be vital in shaping our approach."
The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will prepare the new National Plan.
The new National Plan is intended to build on the achievements of the first National Plan, while reflecting new developments in the international understanding of business and human rights, including new EU instruments. It will align with the Programme for Government’s commitment to “ensure that the Action Plan [on Business and Human Rights] is further developed to review whether there is a need for greater emphasis on mandatory due diligence”.
Written submissions can be sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs at bhrconsultation@dfa.ie
The consultation is open from 27 July 2023 and the deadline for receipt of written submissions is 8 September 2023.
The first National Plan committed to a number of concrete actions, including the publication of a comprehensive baseline study of the existing legislative and regulatory framework applying to business and human rights in Ireland, the review of access to remedy in Ireland and the development of Guidance on Business and Human Rights for Business Enterprises.
A 2021 review of the first National Plan found that 91% of its commitments were fully implemented or were being implemented on an ongoing basis.
A multi-stakeholder group, with members drawn from government, business and civil society, was established as the ‘Business and Human Rights Implementation Group’ and given a three-year mandate to oversee implementation of commitments made under the National Plan. This group has advised on the process for drafting the new Plan, with insights from the successes and challenges of the previous iteration.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment expect to convene a new group of stakeholders to oversee implementation, ensuring both proportionality of the relevant stakeholder groups and the appropriate expertise.