Press release
Minister Troy in Brussels for Competitiveness Council
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Robert Troy TD, is in Brussels today to attend the Competitiveness Council.
Speaking ahead of the meeting Minister Troy said:
"Today’s Competitiveness Council will address some of the biggest issues facing European economies and societies. From discussions on a post-COVID Europe that is greener, more digital, more resilient, and fit to face the future, to discussions on proposals to create a safer digital space and to establish a level playing field to allow smaller businesses to establish and grow. I look forward to an engaging discussion and giving Ireland’s support to these measures."
Ministers will discuss a general approach on each of the EU Digital proposals, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) respectively.
The DMA aims to improve competition in, and the contestability of, EU digital markets. In order to create a level digital playing field, the DMA imposes obligations on large platforms that are considered to act as ‘gatekeepers’ between businesses and consumers. The DSA aims to create a safer and trusted online environment. It sets conditions for the provision of online services in the Single Market, with a view to improving online safety. Measures include new obligations on providers of intermediary services and the establishment of a governance structure for the supervision of those providers.
Commenting on the two Digital Proposals, Minister Troy said:
"These are ambitious and welcome proposals and I hope we will reach significant milestones on these pieces of digital regulation at the Competitiveness Council today.
"Our discussions today will open the way for negotiations with the European Parliament. I expect those talks will start soon and I look forward to their successful conclusion next year. Ireland stands ready to fully implement both new regulations once they are adopted into law."
Ministers at the Competitiveness Council will also have a policy debate on the theme of ‘Implementation of the Recovery Plan for Europe’.
The EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility is important to ensure Europe moves successfully beyond the pandemic and to help repair the immediate economic and social damage. Ireland’s own National Recovery and Resilience Plan was submitted to the European Commission in May and adopted in September.
Ministers will also receive a progress report from the Slovenian Presidency on the proposed Corporate Sustainability Report Directive that revises existing EU rules on non-financial reporting.
On the Corporate Sustainability Report Directive Minister Troy said:
"We have set ambitious climate goals for Ireland over the coming decades that we must meet and the proposed Corporate Sustainability Reporting requirements are very welcome given the scale of the climate challenge, the interconnectedness of economies and global nature of enterprise. Ireland continues to have a positive and supportive position on this proposal and I hope to see swift progress on its development."