National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 - 2020

Section 1: International Context and Domestic Consultative Process 8 the uN guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – Protect, Respect & Remedy 8 uN Forum on Business and Human Rights 8 eu Council Conclusions 9 other international initiatives 10 development of the National Plan 11

Section 2: Current Legislative and Regulatory Framework 13 Workers’ Rights 13 anti-corruption 13 equality 14 2 3 anti-trafficking 14 data Protection 14 environment 14 supply Chain 15 Procurement 15 Non-financial reporting 15

Section 3: Actions 16 i Key commitments to ensure policy coherence across government 16 ii initial priorities for the Business and Human Rights implementation group 18 the state duty to Protect Human Rights 18 the Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights 18 access to Remedy 19 Annexes 20 annex 1 – list of additional and ongoing actions to be carried out across government 20 annex 2 – terms of Reference of the Business and Human Rights implementation group 22 National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 - 2020 Foreword the irish people have long valued and championed human rights and this is reflected in our foreign policy which reaffirms our commitment to the universality, indivisibility and interrelatedness of all human rights. We believe that everyone is entitled to enjoy them fully and this brings with it a responsibility Promoting to promote and protect the human rights of others. We all have a part to play and this extends beyond the institutions of state to other sectors of society. the impact of business activity on the enjoyment of human rights is increasingly recognised. For Ireland’s Values employees and customers this can be direct and immediate, but other persons may be affected indirectly, for example by supply chain decisions. a number of initiatives have sought to address this issue and to promote responsible business conduct most notably through the adoption by the Human Rights Council in 2011 of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. i am delighted to launch this National Plan on Business and Human Rights to give effect to the UN Guiding Principles. it demonstrates in a clear, tangible way this government’s commitment to promoting responsible business practice at home and overseas and was developed by my A Fairer World 4 5 department in close cooperation with other government departments, state agencies, business enterprises and civil society organisations. A Just World i believe that the protection of human rights and the promotion of economic growth, trade and investment should be complementary and mutually reinforcing. We can put respect for human A Secure World rights at the heart of all our business practices as we work towards meeting the sustainable development goals set out in agenda 2030 at national, regional and global levels. A Sustainable World the implementation of the actions identified in this National Plan will be a collective endeavour of government, business and civil society. i look forward to working with everyone as we each play our part in promoting responsible business practices at home and overseas and reaffirming ireland’s leading role as an advocate for human rights globally. Simon Coveney T.D. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade HU MA N R I G H TS National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 - 2020 Mission Statement Introduction the promotion and protection of human rights is a cornerstone of ireland’s foreign policy and we have a long and proud track record of effective engagement on human rights issues, both through our membership of international organisations and in our bilateral relations with other ‘To promote responsible business countries. While primary responsibility will always rest with state institutions, it is increasingly accepted that business enterprises are also key actors when it comes to safeguarding the human rights of individuals. practices at home and overseas by Recognising the role that business can play, the uN Human Rights Council endorsed the uN guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in 2011. these principles are not legally binding but countries have been encouraged to give effect to them through the adoption of all Irish business enterprises in national plans. this National Plan has been developed on foot of a government decision in June 2014 and line with Ireland’s commitment to follows an extensive consultation process. its aim is to promote responsible business practice at home and overseas. 6 the promotion and protection of a key element of the Plan is the establishment of a Business and Human Rights implementation group which will bring together representatives of government, business and civil society. 7 human rights globally and to the Plan is divided into three sections: Section One sets out the international context and domestic consultative process which has informed the development of the National Plan. being one of the best countries in Section Two summarises the current legislative and regulatory framework in ireland. the world in which to do business’ Section Three contains the actions to be taken under this Plan. a number of actions focus on policy coherence across all government departments and agencies while others are initial priority actions for the Business and Human Rights implementation group. additional information is contained in a number of Annexes at the end of the Plan. this Plan is designed to be a living document and it will be updated regularly to take account of developments. Progress on implementation will also be the subject of a multi-stakeholder forum to be held two years after adoption of the Plan. RIALTAS NA hÉIREANN GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 - 2020 section 1: dialogue and cooperation on issues linked to business and human rights, including challenges faced in particular sectors, operational environments or in relation to specific rights or groups, international Context and domestic Consultative Process as well as identifying good practices. the Forum is open to all relevant stakeholder groups, including states, the wider united Nations system, intergovernmental and regional organisations, businesses, labour unions, national human rights institutions, non-governmental the uN guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights – Protect, Respect & organisations, and affected stakeholders. Remedy eu Council Conclusions on 16 June 2011, the uN Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: implementing the united Nations ‘Protect, Respect and in June 2016, on the fifth anniversary of the uN guiding Principles, the Council of the eu Remedy’ Framework1. the aim of these guiding Principles is to enhance standards and adopted Conclusions2 which reaffirmed the eu’s strong and active engagement to prevent practices with regard to business and human rights so as to achieve tangible results for abuses and ensure remedy worldwide, and to ensure the implementation of the uN guiding individuals and communities. they are intended to apply to all business enterprises, both Principles. the Council recalled eu member states’ commitment to developing and adopting transnational and local, regardless of size, sector, location and ownership or structure. National action Plans and emphasised the significant role that business should play in helping to achieve the implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, recognising the 31 uN guiding Principles are structured into three pillars: that corporate respect for human rights is indispensable to sustainable development. 1. The State Duty to 2. The Corporate 3. Access to Remedy Protect Human Rights Responsibility to the need for rights and Respect Human Rights states’ existing obligations to be 8 obligations to respect, the role of business matched to appropriate 9 protect and fulfil human enterprises as organs of and effective remedies rights and fundamental society performing when breached. freedoms. various functions, required to comply with all applicable laws and to respect human rights. While the uN guiding Principles do not by themselves constitute a legally binding document, they elaborate on the implications of existing standards and practices for states and business enterprises and include points covered in international and domestic law. Both the united Nations and the european union have called on all states to develop National Plans to implement the Principles. uN Forum on Business and Human Rights the implementation of the guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is discussed at the annual meeting of the uN Forum on Business and Human Rights in geneva. it promotes UN Human Rights Council, Geneva. Photo: Jean-Marc Ferré /UN Photo 1 united Nations guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: 2 eu Council Conclusions: http://www.ohchr.org/documents/Publications/guidingPrinciplesBusinessHR_eN.pdf http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/06/20-fac-business-human-rights- conclusions/ National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 - 2020 other international initiatives the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has developed guidelines for multinational enterprises4 which are addressed to multinational enterprises operating in or from adhering countries. they provide non-binding principles and standards for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (“the 2030 agenda”) adopted at a special uN responsible business conduct in a global context consistent with applicable laws and summit in september 2015 sets a global framework for action for poverty eradication and internationally recognised standards. sustainable development and will determine priorities and help guide allocation of resources world-wide over the coming 15 years. the 2030 agenda is universal and all countries will need to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) tripartite declaration on multinational implement it, both internally and in their external action. the 17 sustainable development enterprises and social Policy5 provides direct guidance to enterprises on social policy and goals (sdgs) and 169 associated targets at the heart of the agenda provide an integrated inclusive, responsible and sustainable workplace practices. this global instrument was framework to achieve sustainable development globally. the sdgs of most relevance to the elaborated and adopted by governments, employers and workers from around the world in issue of Business and Human Rights are: 1977 and revised in march 2017. its principles are addressed to multinational enterprises, governments, and employers’ and workers’ organisations and cover areas such as employment, training, conditions of work and life, and industrial relations as well as general policies. development of the National Plan on 24 June 2014, the government decided to develop a National Plan for the implementation of the uN guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. While the coordinating role for developing the Plan was assigned to the department of Foreign affairs and trade (dFat), it was agreed that all government departments and agencies would contribute and engage fully in the process. 10 sdg 1 end poverty in all its forms everywhere 11 dFat adopted an inclusive and open approach and has worked closely with government sdg 5 achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls sdg 8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive departments, state agencies, business enterprises and civil society to develop a Plan that is employment and decent work for all practical yet ambitious. to ensure a whole of government approach, an inter-departmental Committee was also established. the addis ababa action agenda forms an integral part of the 2030 agenda. together with the means of implementation under each sdg and goal 17 (means of implementation and global in November 2014, Business and Human Rights was the theme of the annual Ngo Partnership), it sets out the full range of means of implementation – financial and non-financial, Forum on Human Rights. the minister for Foreign affairs and trade, Charlie public and private, domestic and international, actions and enabling policies – to be mobilised Flanagan, td, led discussion on the priorities for the National Plan with human in the context of the global Partnership to achieve the agenda. rights organisations, business leaders, and civil society representatives. in February 2015, dFat hosted a workshop with business and civil society representatives to in march 2016, the Council of Europe3 adopted a Recommendation to assist member states in discuss priorities for the Plan and initiated a public consultation which received over 30 preventing and remedying human rights violations by business enterprises. the submissions. Recommendation elaborates on access to judicial remedy, drawing on Council of europe expertise and legal standards and puts special emphasis on the additional protection needs of workers, children, indigenous people and human rights defenders. it also recommends a review of implementation of the Recommendation by the member states within five years of its adoption, with the participation of relevant stakeholders. 3 Council of europe Recommendation: 4 oeCd guidelines for multinational enterprises: https://search.coe.int/cm/Pages/result_details.aspx?objectid=09000016805c1ad4 http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264115415-en 5 ilo tripartite declaration: http://www.ilo.org/empent/Publications/WCms_094386/lang--en/index.htm National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 - 2020 a Working outline of the National Plan on Business and Human Rights was published in section 2: december 2015 following which dFat hosted further consultations. the Working outline is a comprehensive summary of the information compiled and the issues considered during the consultative process and can be viewed on the dFat website together with all written Current legislative and Regulatory Framework submissions received6. this National Plan brings together the key issues identified in the Working outline and sets out Business and human rights touch on the policy areas of most government departments. there a roadmap for the implementation of a number of actions over a three year period that will is a commitment across the whole of government to recognise and meet our commitments to enable ireland to realise the objectives of the uN guiding Principles. it is designed to be a living ensure responsible and competitive business practice both in ireland and internationally. document which will be updated on a regular basis to reflect developments. it is also intended internationally, ireland is held in high regard as a strong and active partner in defending and to convene a multi-stakeholder forum to look at progress on the plan within the first two years. promoting human rights. in terms of promoting business and human rights, we have taken a forward role at both uN and eu level and we are among the first group of eu member states to put in place a National Plan. throughout the term of this Plan, we will continue to engage with our eu partners to promote consideration of business and human rights in eu decision making. We will also continue to be an active partner at the uN level, including through annual participation in the uN Forum on Business and Human Rights in geneva. Workers’ Rights ireland is strongly committed to the protection and promotion of both domestic and migrant workers’ rights through national and international legislation, with a robust body of employment rights legislation which provides employees with a means for redress in cases 12 where their employment rights have been breached. in 2017, ireland has taken up, for the first 13 time, a titulaire seat on the governing Body of the international labour organisation (ilo). during its term, ireland will maintain and promote its commitment to human rights and will work to enhance the profile of business and human rights in the framework of the ilo. anti-corruption in recent years, united Nations and regional organisations have increasingly recognised the negative impacts of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights. moreover, the treaty bodies and special procedures of the united Nations human rights system have regularly identified corruption as a critical factor contributing to the failure of states to satisfy their human rights obligations. the most recent peer review of ireland’s implementation of the oeCd anti-Bribery Convention made a number of specific recommendations around awareness raising and reporting. since that report, the government has introduced the Protected disclosures act 2014 which provides a robust statutory framework within which workers can raise concerns regarding potential wrongdoing in the workplace. ireland will continue to follow up the recommendations of the report to ensure that we fulfil our Convention commitments. The 2014 DFAT NGO Forum discusses Business and Human Rights, Dublin Castle ©Maxwell Photography 6 Working outline: https://www.dfa.ie/our-role-policies/international-priorities/human-rights/human-rights-in- ireland/national-plan-on-business-and-human-rights/ National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 - 2020 equality supply Chain the government is committed to promoting equality in all aspects of irish society. the exploitation or corruption along the supply chain can have major negative reputational impacts statutory-based irish Human Rights and equality Commission works towards the elimination of for companies and states. the government supports the proposal by the european discrimination and the promotion of equal opportunities. it is tasked with providing Commission for an eu Council Regulation which provides for the establishment of an eu-wide information and advice to persons who consider themselves discriminated against on any of the system for supply chain due diligence of responsible importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, nine grounds in employment or non-employment situations. their ores, and gold originating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. the main objective of Recent positive developments on equality issues include the introduction of statutory paternity this proposal is to help reduce the financing of armed groups and security forces through benefit in 2016 and the launch of a new National strategy for Women and girls in may 2017. mineral proceeds in conflict-affected and high-risk areas by supporting and further promoting Work is also progressing on a new equality/disability (miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. responsible sourcing practices of eu companies. of course, supply chain diligence is not limited to the extractive industries and areas of conflict. ireland has been elected, for the first time, to serve on the united Nations Commission on the status of Women for the term 2017-21. this will provide an opportunity to build on ireland’s irish expertise has also been commissioned by multi-national corporations and technical international engagement on the full realisation of the rights of women and girls. the cooperation programmes to undertake third party audits in the context of supply chain due government has pledged to work to strengthen the voice and functioning of the Commission diligence on factory standards. the design and implementation of a long-term building and to promote the participation of civil society in its work. inspection and enforcement regime for all buildings in Bangladesh has, for example, been greatly assisted by irish engineering expertise. Where possible, including through our overseas anti-trafficking development assistance, the government will look to support such initiatives. Combatting human trafficking is an important and fundamental part of the business and human rights agenda. the government is committed to ensuring that people are not exploited Procurement or forced to work against their will either in ireland or by irish companies operating overseas. in Public procurement in ireland is governed by eu and National law and National guidelines. 14 october 2016, the government launched the second National action Plan to Prevent and 15 the office of government Procurement is committed to ensuring that human rights related Combat Human trafficking. the plan contains 65 actions designed to crackdown on individuals matters are reflected in public procurement and embedded in national public procurement and gangs involved in the crime, to support victims, to raise public awareness, and to enhance policy. the eu treaty principles of equal treatment and non-discrimination, transparency, training for those likely to encounter victims. mutual recognition, proportionality, free movement of goods and services and the right of establishment must be observed in all tenders. data Protection the office of the data Protection Commissioner (dPC) is responsible for upholding the general most recently, the 2014 eu directives on Public Procurement7, which have been transposed into principle that individuals should be in a position to control how data relating to them is used. irish law contain specific provisions excluding tenderers who are guilty of certain human rights the Commissioner is also responsible for enforcing obligations upon data controllers. owing to infringements from participation in public procurement. the significant number of multinational tech companies based in ireland, ireland’s data extensive general guidance on legal procurement requirements is available to public authorities Protection Commissioner has responsibility for oversight of a large amount of data and has on the irish portal for public procurement8. been involved in some high profile cases. the government is committed to supporting the data Commissioner in their role and, over recent years, has provided a fourfold increase in the Non-financial reporting funding for the work of the Commission. environment the eu directive on disclosure of non-financial and diversity information (2014/95/eu)9 entered into force in december 2014. it requires certain companies known as ‘public interest entities’ to the government prioritises the right of citizens to enjoy a safe environment and the include a declaration in their annual management report containing information stating responsibility of businesses to comply with environmental protection legislation. ireland has material data related to the environment, social affairs, human rights, and prevention of transposed key eu directives, such as eu directive 2004/35/eC which deals with environmental corruption. this directive will shortly be transposed into irish law. liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage. Consistent with the government’s priority of ensuring inclusive and open participation in policy making, ireland has also ratified the aarhus Convention which is designed to promote the involvement of 7 directives 2014/23/eu, 2014/24/eu and 2014/25/eu, s.i. No. 284 and No. 286 of 2016. citizens in environmental matters and improve enforcement of environmental law. 8 irish Portal for Public Procurement: http://etenders.gov.ie 9 eu directive on disclosure of non-financial and diversity information: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/95/oj National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 - 2020 section 3: Commitment Time frame Responsible Government actions Department Convene a forum on Business and Human Rights Within two years Foreign affairs and within two years of the adoption of the National Plan. of publication of trade the actions contained in the Plan are structured into two categories: this will bring together stakeholders including the National Plan I. Key commitments to ensure policy coherence across Government government, the business community and civil society and will facilitate the exchange of views on II. Initial priorities for the Business and Human Rights Implementation Group progress in delivering on the National Plan Responsibility for ensuring delivery on the actions outlined in the first section is mostly held by amend the terms of reference of the inter- Concurrent with Foreign affairs and the Human Rights unit of the department of Foreign affairs and trade. this unit will continue to departmental Committee on Human Rights to the publication of trade act as the lead unit and will provide the secretariat for the Business and Human Rights include the monitoring of the National Plan the National Plan implementation group. include Business and Human Rights as a regular Concurrent with Foreign affairs and the initial priorities for the Business and Human Rights implementation group are elaborated item on the agenda of the dFat Ngo standing the publication of trade in part ii. these actions have been prioritised on the basis of discussions and feedback received Committee on Human Rights the National Plan during the elaboration of the Working outline. the implementation group will be responsible for developing timeframes for delivering and reporting on each of the actions which have been ensure coherence between the National Plan on the CsR Plan was Foreign affairs and assigned to it. Corporate social Responsibility and the National Plan launched on 26 trade, enterprise and on Business and Human Rights, including by June 2017 innovation i. Key commitments to ensure policy coherence across government promoting cooperation between the Business and 16 17 Human Rights implementation Working group and the Corporate social Responsibility stakeholder Forum as demonstrated in the previous section, there is already a considerable and continuous effort ensure coherence between the implementation of Current action Foreign affairs and across government to promote human rights and to encourage or enforce positive action from the National Plan on Business and Human Rights Plan runs until trade the private sector. the following commitments form a central part of formalising and and ireland’s National action Plan on Women, Peace 2018 consolidating these efforts. and security ensure coherence between ireland’s new trading Concurrent with Foreign affairs and Commitment Time frame Responsible strategy: ‘ireland Connected: trading and investing the publication of trade, enterprise and Government in a dynamic World’10 , and the National Plan on the National Plan innovation, education Department Business and Human Rights and skills, transport, tourism and sport, Commission a study to conduct a comprehensive to be completed within Foreign affairs Community and Rural baseline assessment of the legislative and six months of and trade affairs, arts, Heritage regulatory framework pertaining to business and publication of the & the gaeltacht, human rights as it applies in ireland National Plan agriculture, Fisheries establish a ‘Business and Human Rights membership to be Foreign affairs and marine implementation group’, which will consist of announced within three and trade representatives from government, the business months of publication community and civil society, and will meet twice a of the National Plan year to review the implementation of the National Plan over the first three years 10 ireland Connected: trading and investing in a dynamic World: http://www.merrionstreet.ie/merrionstreet/en/imagelibrary/20170308_ireland_Connected.pdf National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 - 2020 ii. initial priorities for the Business and Human Rights implementation group xii. Create a fact sheet on the oeCd anti-Bribery Convention, the criminal offences in irish law on bribery, the reporting systems in place for reporting suspicions of foreign corruption and the protections provided by the Protected disclosures act to be distributed by enterprise the Business and Human Rights implementation group will focus their efforts on delivering the ireland to all irish companies engaged in trade missions. following key commitments. in addition, government departments and agencies will continue their ongoing actions to further the implementation of the uN guiding Principles which have access to Remedy been identified in the Working outline and are contained here in annex 1. the state duty to Protect Human Rights xiii. engage with business representative bodies to promote and strengthen mediation as a viable option when businesses and their stakeholders are engaged in disputes. xiv. introduce a standing agenda item to explore international best practice and principles i. develop a practical toolkit on business and human rights for public and private entities governing the development of operational level grievance mechanisms for individuals and within 12 months to assist them in their human rights due diligence. communities who may be adversely impacted to make it possible for grievances to be ii. ensure that relevant public servants are made aware of their obligation to report suspected addressed early and remediated directly. cases of bribery under the oeCd Convention on Foreign Bribery. xv. Review how best to ensure remedy for potential victims overseas of human rights abuses by iii. encourage and support awareness of effective human rights due diligence by state owned irish companies, with a focus on barriers to justice, including legal, procedural or financial or controlled companies. barriers. iv. encourage and support effective human rights due diligence in the context of state support to business and Ngos. 18 19 v. encourage civil society and business representative bodies to engage with the united Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights. vi. Provide clarity to relevant stakeholders on the applicable irish law, reporting channels and protections for whistle-blowers/protected disclosures. vii. Promote awareness of relevant multi-stakeholder and multilateral initiatives such as the uN global Compact, the Principles for Responsible investment and the Children’s Rights and Business Principles among state owned or controlled companies. the Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights viii.encourage business representative bodies to provide examples, templates and case studies to help support companies in their efforts to develop human rights focused policies and reporting initiatives. ix. encourage companies and Ngos funded by the state to carry out human rights due diligence as appropriate to their size, the nature and context of operations and the severity of the risk of adverse human rights impacts. x. encourage engagement with human rights reporting standards, such as the uN guiding Principles Reporting Framework, the global Reporting initiative or the Business Working Responsibly mark. xi. encourage and facilitate the sharing of best practice on human rights due diligence, Minister Charlie Flanagan addressed a meeting of over 50 local companies and 35 Irish companies at an Enterprise Ireland networking including effective supply chain audits. event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as part of a trade mission to the Gulf region in November 2016. National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 - 2020 annexes: 10. use the universal Periodic Review to encourage states to implement the uN guiding Principles and to report on their progress. annex 1 – list of additional and ongoing actions to be carried out Trade and Investment across government 11. Provide information to participants in overseas trade missions led by government representatives on human rights issues in the destination countries. 12. ensure that state agencies and staff involved in promoting two-way trade and investment throughout the process of compiling the National Plan, the following actions were identified as have received briefing and guidance on the purpose and implementation of the uN guiding being important for furthering the promotion of business and human rights across government. Principles. the majority of these actions are ongoing rather than new and, as such, it is not considered that they necessarily need to be prioritised by the implementation group. the implementation 13. encourage irish companies operating abroad to adopt good practice with regards to group may, however, consider the progress that has been made in terms of achieving these consultation with human rights defenders and civil society in local communities, actions and look to include them on their agenda if considered necessary. particularly on environmental and labour conditions. Domestic Framework 14. under the aegis of the office of government Procurement, continue to follow good practice on procurement and human rights standards in all Requests for tenders, in line with eu law. 1. transpose the eu directive on disclosure of Non-financial and diversity information (2014/95/eu) into irish law. 15. Provide up to date guidance on the protection of human rights defenders working in the area of business and human rights through the circulation of Human Rights defenders 2. enact the mediation Bill. guidelines to all embassies. 3. Facilitate mediation where appropriate in the oeCd National Contact Point grievance 16. Provide information from embassies, working in cooperation with state agencies as procedures for cases arising under the oeCd multinational guidelines following the appropriate, to irish companies on business and human rights issues in their host 20 21 publication of national procedures to give effect to the guidelines11. countries. EU and Multilateral Efforts 17. enhance awareness of human rights commitments, ethical business practice and 4. Promote business and human rights issues in global policy processes within the framework development policy in international business promotion events, as appropriate. of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, in particular through sustainable 18. Provide advice to business enterprises of the possible risks of human rights situations when development goals 8, 1 and 5. operating in conflict affected areas. 5. Continue to participate in the Kimberley Process Certification scheme and support the 19. ensure awareness of the international Finance Corporation (iFC) performance standards scheme’s stewardship by the european Commission. among state owned companies that invest in or manage projects, outside of oeCd high 6. support the implementation of the Regulation establishing an eu-wide system for supply income countries, which exceed the euro equivalent of us$10 million. chain due diligence of responsible importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and Development Cooperation gold originating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. 20. Promote the inclusive economic growth policy priority set out in “one World, one Future: 7. Continue to take account of the human rights elements of european Commission impact ireland’s Policy for international development”, by encouraging and supporting partner assessments when providing input in the course of Free trade agreement (Fta) governments to ensure that business and economic regulation and legislation implements negotiations and support the appropriate implementation of human rights clauses in Ftas national and international commitments to human rights such as those relating to gender as they arise in eu agreements. equality - in particular promoting women’s access to formal employment, decent work, and 8. Participate actively in the united Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights. the rights of marginalised groups. 9. share information about challenges and good practices on business and human rights with 21. support developing countries to improve their business and investment environment and partners in the eu and the uN, including promoting coherence in the implementation of the continue to promote transparent, accountable and effective governance systems, rule of eu’s action Plan on Human Rights and democracy (2015-2019) and the eu’s gender action law, and equitable and inclusive economic growth, including transforming economic Plan (2016-2020). opportunities and outcomes for women and girls. 11 oeCd guidelines for multinational enterprises: http://www.oecd.org/daf/inv/mne/ National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 - 2020 annex 2 – terms of Reference of the Business and Human Rights implementation group n the implementation group will be appointed by the minister for Foreign affairs and trade for a three-year period. it will have an independent Chair and its members will be drawn from government, business and civil society. n the implementation group will meet in full formation at least twice per year. n three subgroups will be established to focus on implementation of action points under each of the pillars of the uN guiding Principles. the Chairs of these sub-groups will be as follows: 1. state duty to Protect- government Representative 2. Corporate Responsibility- Business Representative 3. access to Remedy- academia/Civil society Representative 22 n the secretariat of the implementation group will be provided by the Human Rights unit of the department of Foreign affairs and trade with support from other relevant units of the department and in cooperation with other relevant government departments. n the implementation group will review/update their work plan after 18 months and present this to the Business and Human Rights Forum as a basis for discussions. National Plan on Business and Human Rights 2017 - 2020 RIALTAS NA hÉIREANN GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND