Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
434. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment given his competency for OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, to respond to allegations of data centres located in Ireland operated by a company (details supplied) being used to facilitate genocide in Gaza. [6337/26]
View answerThe OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct (referred to as the Guidelines) are the most comprehensive government supported instrument for the promotion of Responsible Business Conduct. In keeping with applicable laws and internationally recognised standards, they provide non-binding principles and standards for all areas of business conduct. Areas covered by the Guidelines include due diligence in the supply chain; disclosure, human rights; employment and industrial relations; environment; combating bribery and other forms of corruption; consumer interests; science, technology, and innovation; competition and taxation.
The Guidelines provide voluntary recommendations for multinational enterprises to adhere to. I expect Irish multinationals and multinational enterprises operating here to adhere to these recommendations to ensure they operate in a responsible manner. They aim to encourage positive contributions enterprises can make to economic, environmental and social progress, and to minimise adverse impacts on matters covered by the Guidelines that may be associated with an enterprise’s operations, products and services.
Governments adhering to the Guidelines are required to set up a National Contact Point (NCP) to promote the Guidelines and related Due Diligence Guidance and to address complaints made under the Guidelines (these are referred to as “specific instances”). These complaints are addressed through a non-judicial grievance mechanism which offers parties a means to resolve issues typically through mediation. The Ireland NCP is a standalone Unit in my Department. The NCP process and decisions made by the Ireland NCP are independent. Information on complaints handled by the Ireland NCP are available the Ireland NCP webpage on the Department’s website, available here.
