6. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to report on the progress of the business and human rights stakeholder forum; the number of times and dates on which the forum has met; if the action plan is now in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6376/25]

Sentiment score: 0.16

My question specifically relates to the UN guiding principles on business and human rights. Unfortunately, the first action plan we had, from 2017 to 2020, has now been out of date for five years. I ask specifically about the stakeholder forum that was set up. I know how often it met. When will we have the plan? It is to follow on the guiding principles that were accepted by the UN in 2011. Now, more than ever, in today's world, we need to embed human rights.

Sentiment score: -0.01

I thank the Minister. I appreciate that the Department met me. It was a very helpful meeting and it is a way to work. There is, however, no progress in relation to the plan and we are into our fifth year. Trinity College did a report that was a snapshot of large firms operating in Ireland. The embedding of human rights principles received the lowest score. Embedding respect for human rights and conducting human rights due diligence was the theme on which companies, on average, scored the lowest. While some of the actions the Minister reports have been implemented from the last plan, no specific goals were delivered. There is an urgent need to publish this report based on human rights. We know that. I know from meeting personnel in the Minister's Department that they are absolutely doing their best. They are certainly committed to bringing this plan forward but where is the delay? The Minister is talking about a meeting of the stakeholders in a few months and yet he is talking about a plan that will be published soon. Will the Minister clarify that for me?

Sentiment score: 0.11

I thank the Minister. I would love it if the Minister could give me a date on that. Why? It is because we are talking about embedding respect for human rights, and protecting, respecting and remedying human rights. While we fail to do that, this is the report from Trinity College, which is now dated, in relation to failure to embed human rights. I could cite various examples. As I understand it, the ESB is still importing coal from north-east Colombia - I will not insult anyone by attempting to pronounce the names of the mines - despite well-documented human rights abuses associated with the actions of that business. We are importing that. Airbnb Ireland allows tourism-related businesses based in illegal Israeli settlements to use its platform to advertise their services. Front Line Defenders, a very respected organisation, has reported 401 killings of human rights defenders in 2022 compared with 358 in 2021. Imagine that we are comparing the numbers of deaths of human rights defenders while there is no plan of action.

Sentiment score: -0.02

The Minister might forward them-----

Sentiment score: 0.00

I tabled a very similar question that is further down the Question Paper. I was taken unawares as the questions were not grouped. That is the Department's decision, but the two questions are on the exact same issue. I have the most serious concerns about the increase, with seven times the amount of exports within a year. Could we get some explanation for that? How are the decisions made? Which licenses were refused? On what basis were they refused? Were licences refused in respect of exports to Israel? We are told about the ones that were given and we know they have increased exponentially, but what is the breakdown? How are the decisions made? We are reassured that the decision is made in a robust manner. I have been here since 2016; I do not take reassurances. I certainly do not take them at face value when it comes to what Israel is doing in Palestine. The time of reassurance has gone. We need to know exactly how the decisions are made and how they are refused.

Sentiment score: 0.06

Does the Minister of State have details on how many have been refused?

Sentiment score: -0.30