CSR is no longer an optional ‘add-on’
26th June 2017
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Ms. Frances Fitzgerald T.D., today (Monday 26th) launched “Towards Responsible Business”, Ireland’s Second National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility 2017-2020.
The Plan articulates a vision for Ireland to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence for responsible and sustainable business practices. It also supports the Government’s objective of building a strong economy and delivering a fair society, so that businesses and communities thrive, throughout Ireland.
At the launch event the Tánaiste, Frances Fitzgerald said: “Today, more than ever, the Irish Government needs to deliver a clear message of encouragement and support to businesses and organisations around Ireland to embed responsible business practices at the core of their business strategies.
“Embedding responsible business practices has the potential to help build a more inclusive Ireland; help make Ireland a better place in which to do business and benefit local communities and the environment. For businesses, the benefits include: attracting and retaining talent; building reputation and market share and creating a competitive advantage.”
CSR has been practiced by companies, large and small, throughout Ireland for many years. The breadth of CSR activity in Ireland is widespread and is recognised through programmes such as Business in the Community Ireland’s “Business Working Responsibly Mark” and Chambers Ireland’s Annual CSR Awards.
One of the key achievements during the period of Ireland’s First National Plan on CSR 2014 – 2016 was the establishment of a CSR Stakeholder Forum. The CSR Stakeholder Forum is currently chaired by Ms. Catherine Heaney, founder and Managing Director of DHR Communications. The Forum is a key vehicle to inform the development of CSR policy in Ireland and to ensure the National Plan remains relevant in the context of evolving best practice, both nationally and internationally.
Pictured with An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Frances Fitzgerald T.D., were Bernadette Phelan, from Business in the Community Ireland with Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland, Brendan Jennings Managing Partner Deloitte and Orlaigh Quinn, Secretary General Department of Enterprise & Innovation. Copyright© Fennell Photography 2017.
