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For Written Answer on : 27/04/2023
Question Number(s): 231 Question Reference(s): 19757/23
Department: Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Employment the role, if any, his Department has in the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
My Department has policy responsibility for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2464 which entered into force in January 2023. Ireland along with other EU member states have until 6 July 2024 to give effect to the new requirements.
The directive is one of a number of measures under the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Finance Agenda. It requires all large companies, banks, insurance undertakings and companies listed on main EU stock markets including SMEs to report annually in their directors’ report on their performance in respect of environment, social and governance matters including human rights. The reporting itself will be done according to mandatory European sustainability reporting standards and the information will be subject to assurance, that is independent certification, by a suitably qualified auditor.
The impact of the directive will be to enhance the disclosure by these companies on their performance in relation to sustainability matters, and to deter greenwashing. The new rules will be phased in and the reports by the first tranche of companies in scope will be published in 2025.
My Department is leading on the transposition of the directive. A stakeholder webinar was held on the 26th January this year and a public consultation on the Member State options contained in the directive closed on 9th March. My officials are analysing the responses to the consultation and preparing the draft legislation to transpose the new requirements. It is intended to further update stakeholders in June, following consideration of the policy options and consultation with other Government Departments and Agencies as appropriate.