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Ibec

Ibec is Ireland's largest business lobby group, representing thousands of companies across all sectors to advance business success and sustainable economic growth.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Construction services Act

15 Dec 2025

To whom it may concern, Please find attached Property Industry Ireland - Ibec input to European Construction Services Act Consultation. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions on the attached submission. Kind regards, Louise
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Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament) and MedTech Europe

12 Nov 2025 · MedTech

Irish business group calls for harmonised EU circular economy rules

6 Nov 2025
Topic — EU legislation to create single market for waste and secondary raw materials.
Message — Ibec urges the EU to harmonise circular economy regulations across member states, prioritise high-impact waste streams like construction and demolition, and simplify rules to make secondary materials cost-competitive with virgin materials.123
Why — This would reduce compliance costs and create economies of scale for their members.45
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Irish tech industry urges EU to drop Digital Fairness Act

24 Oct 2025
Topic — New EU regulation addressing dark patterns, influencer marketing, and addictive design online.
Message — Technology Ireland requests the EU abandon the Digital Fairness Act and instead focus on enforcing existing consumer protection laws. They argue current regulations already address dark patterns, subscription traps, and personalised advertising through GDPR, DSA, and other frameworks. They want the EU to prioritise simplification and implement the Draghi Report recommendations.123
Why — This would reduce compliance costs and preserve revenue from personalised advertising and data-driven business models.456
Impact — Consumers lose stronger protections against manipulative design and exploitative digital practices.78
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Ibec urges EU to simplify complex digital regulation framework

14 Oct 2025
Topic — The Commission is consulting on a digital simplification package to reduce business burdens.
Message — Streamline reporting obligations and align AI Act timelines with technical standards delivery. Clarify data rules to improve certainty for international transfers to third countries.123
Why — Lower compliance costs would allow businesses to focus on innovation and tech deployment.4
Impact — Market surveillance authorities lose oversight capabilities if access to AI source code is restricted.5
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Meeting with Billy Kelleher (Member of the European Parliament)

14 Oct 2025 · Aircraft Leasing, Trade

Meeting with Pierpaolo Settembri (Cabinet of Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas)

14 Oct 2025 · meeting with IBEC and ALI

Irish Medtech urges EU to prioritise efficiency and innovation in device regulation reform

6 Oct 2025
Topic — EU reform of regulations governing medical devices and in vitro diagnostics.
Message — The organization requests swift implementation of short-term relief measures including defined timelines for product review, reduced re-certification burden, and fast-track pathways for breakthrough innovation. They recommend reform of the Notified Body approval process, greater efficiencies through digitalization and AI, and establishment of a single governance structure to oversee the system.123
Why — This would reduce unpredictable review times and excessive certification costs for startups and SMEs.456
Impact — European patients lose timely access to innovative medical technologies that launch first in other markets.78
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Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

2 Oct 2025 · Omnibus

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament)

24 Sept 2025 · Trade

Irish property industry calls for rental reform and infrastructure funding

18 Sept 2025
Topic — EU strategy to boost housing construction and close supply-demand gaps across Europe.
Message — The organization requests rent control reforms linking caps to tenancies rather than properties, faster infrastructure planning, and multi-year funding commitments. They argue current policies discourage investment and delay delivery.123
Why — This would attract institutional capital back to Ireland's residential property market and reduce development costs.45
Impact — Existing tenants lose stronger rent protections as caps would reset between tenancies.67
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Ibec urges EU to favor rule enforcement over new legislation

29 Aug 2025
Topic — The EU is drafting a new consumer policy strategy for the 2025-2030 period.
Message — Ibec wants the EU to focus on enforcing current rules rather than adding new ones. They call for regulatory simplification and the regulation of third-party litigation funding.123
Why — Reducing legislative complexity will lower compliance costs and administrative burdens for businesses.4
Impact — Non-EU retailers and litigation firms would face stricter regulatory and financial oversight.56
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Irish lobby Ibec opposes extending carbon tax to downstream products

26 Aug 2025
Topic — The European Commission is consulting on extending its carbon border adjustment mechanism.
Message — Ibec argues against extending the tax to downstream products until the current system is proven. They prioritize fixing implementation issues and strengthening enforcement against companies bypassing existing rules.12
Why — Irish exporters would avoid higher compliance costs and maintain global trade competitiveness.3
Impact — Non-EU rivals would lose the ability to bypass carbon costs through existing loopholes.4
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Technology Ireland warns Digital Networks Act risks harming innovation

11 Jul 2025
Topic — The Commission is consulting on enhancing Europe's digital infrastructure and connectivity.
Message — Maintain the existing market-driven interconnection system and protect net neutrality. Avoid reclassifying cloud services as telecom providers to ensure broad innovation.123
Why — Member companies would avoid significant costs and unnecessary bureaucratic burdens.4
Impact — Public institutions and small firms would face increased digital operational costs.5
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Ibec urges EU to simplify data centre development and trade

2 Jul 2025
Topic — The consultation addresses a new law to triple EU data processing capacity.
Message — Ibec recommends streamlining data centre development through common EU site criteria and simplified permitting. They urge the Commission to avoid duplicating existing rules on water and data security. They also advocate for maintaining access to digital technologies developed outside the European Union.123
Why — Simplified rules would accelerate infrastructure projects and reduce costs for digital investment.4
Impact — Supporters of protectionist digital sovereignty lose if markets remain open to foreign technologies.5
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Meeting with Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Member of the European Parliament)

2 Jul 2025 · IBEC Aircraft Leasing Ireland Lunch

Meeting with Filip Cornelis (Director Mobility and Transport) and Aercap Holdings NV and

2 Jul 2025 · Sustainable Transport Investment Plan

Ibec Urges Prioritising Implementation Over New EU Cybersecurity Legislation

20 Jun 2025
Topic — Review of the EU Cybersecurity Act concerning ENISA's mandate and certification frameworks.
Message — Ibec recommends pursuing non-legislative measures to improve the effectiveness of existing cybersecurity schemes. They call for strengthening the capacity of the EU Agency for Cybersecurity instead of expanding its role. Additionally, they propose a single national platform to streamline incident reporting across various EU laws.123
Why — Streamlining regulations reduces administrative costs and prevents technical barriers to trade and scaling.45
Impact — Political actors seeking non-technical influence over certification lose power to shape security schemes.6
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Technology Ireland urges harmonised and proportionate EU data retention

18 Jun 2025
Topic — The consultation evaluates EU-wide rules for service providers to retain metadata for criminal investigations.
Message — They propose a harmonised framework that distinguishes between traditional telecommunications and internet-based services. They advocate for a phased implementation starting with subscriber data and limited to serious crimes.123
Why — Harmonisation and a phased approach would reduce legal uncertainty and give companies time to adapt.45
Impact — Law enforcement agencies might face intelligence gaps due to restricted data categories and delayed implementation.67
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Ibec demands mandatory 30-minute takedown for pirated live content

4 Jun 2025
Topic — Evaluation of EU recommendations addressing the unauthorized online retransmission of live events.
Message — Audiovisual Ireland urges the Commission to replace ineffective recommendations with a standalone legal instrument. This legislation must mandate that intermediaries take down copyright infringements within 30 minutes of receipt. They also request that Member States provide rights owners with dynamic, real-time IP-blocking tools.123
Why — Stricter enforcement would protect industry revenues and encourage further investment in high-quality European content.45
Impact — Online intermediaries lose legal immunity and face much heavier burdens for monitoring hosted content.67
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Ibec backs EU proposal to exempt used whiskey casks

6 May 2025
Topic — The consultation updates the list of wood products covered by deforestation rules.
Message — The association supports excluding used products like whiskey casks from the regulation. They recommend adopting this text to protect the supply chain of maturation vessels.12
Why — Excluding used barrels prevents price hikes and ensures traditional maturation practices remain viable.3
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Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for opinion)

6 May 2025 · Omnibus

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Apr 2025 · Medtech

Response to EU rules on medical devices and in vitro diagnostics - targeted evaluation

21 Mar 2025

Irish Medtech, Ibecs trade association for the medtech sector in Ireland, welcomes the opportunity to provide the views of Irish medtech companies in response to the public consultation: targeted evaluation of the EU rules on medical devices and in vitro diagnostics. Irish Medtech welcomes the European Commissions initiative on bringing forward the targeted evaluation in 2025. Ireland is a global medtech hub, with over 450 companies with 9 of the top 10 medtech companies, the 3rd largest exporter of medtech in the EU and largest employer of medtech professionals (per capita) in the EU. Irish Medtech believes the successful implementation of the European medtech regulatory system is paramount to Ireland and Europes success. Irish Medtech acknowledges the ongoing and significant work already completed by the European Commission and all stakeholders to alleviate the implementation challenges associated with In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation 2017/746/EU (IVDR) and Medical Devices Regulation 2017/745/EU (MDR). While the Irish medtech industry is a proven supporter of the EU MDR/IVDRs objectives, and has invested significantly into the transition process, major challenges need to be addressed by policymakers and stakeholders. There are structural issues in the current regulatory system which make it slow, unpredictable, costly and complex, and lacking in agile pathways for innovative medical technologies. Irish Medtech calls for a comprehensive reform to make the regulations work for European patients and health systems. Reform should address the three key areas of efficiency, innovation and governance, all while maintaining the regulations high level of device safety and performance. Irish Medtech believes the current regulatory inefficiencies and complexity stem largely from the absence of a consistent, risk-based approach throughout the medical device certificate lifecycle. it is critical that MDR/IVDR requirements are reviewed and streamlined to be at the right level to support a risk-based approach to safety and performance. Overly burdensome requirements drain resources from the Notified Body (NB) system and are a particular concern for SMEs/start-ups both from a staff resourcing and cost perspective. To ensure continued access to both current and future medical devices for European patients and healthcare systems, it is essential to simplify and streamline the regulatory requirements. This approach will maintain a balance between robust safety standards and efficient market access. Irish Medtech strongly recommends that the EU Commission brings forward as matter of urgency a proposal for a legal amendment to MDR/IVDR in Q4 2025 to establish a new empowered and well-resourced governance structure to o oversee and manage the NB network and ensure efficiency and consistency across same o reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and administrative burden o promote innovation in Europe o and represent the sector at EU level and globally. This proposed legal amendment should also introduce a balanced, risk-based approach to the EU regulatory system and a new dedicated, accelerated and clear regulatory pathway for innovative products; with recognition of regulatory decisions from other jurisdictions; and specific regulatory pathways for orphan and paediatric devices to keep and get these products to the market. Irish Medtech notes the European Commissions ambition for regulatory simplification and to restore Europes competitiveness as evident from The Draghi Report (2024), Competitiveness Challenges, the EU Competitiveness Compass, to Commission Presidents Mission letter to Commissioner Várhelyi. amongst others initiatives. Irish Medtech is of the strongly held belief that urgent and effective reform of MDR/IVDR would not only guarantee EU patients access to medtech within a viable EU medtech industry but will serve as a tangible demonstration of Europe's ability to deliver on this ambition with efficiency.
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Meeting with Maria Walsh (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Mar 2025 · Agricultural policy

Meeting with Cristina Dias (Cabinet of Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque), Larisa Dragomir (Cabinet of Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque)

20 Mar 2025 · Exchange on regulatory developments

Meeting with Cristina Dias (Cabinet of Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque), Larisa Dragomir (Cabinet of Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque)

20 Mar 2025 · Meeting to discuss financial services in Ireland

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Mar 2025 · Agricultural policy

Meeting with Patricia Reilly (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen)

19 Mar 2025 · Ireland’s nitrates derogation

Meeting with Jessika Roswall (Commissioner), Michael McGrath (Commissioner) and

19 Mar 2025 · Exchange on environmental policy matters

Meeting with Regina Doherty (Member of the European Parliament)

19 Mar 2025 · Single Market

Response to Savings and Investments Union

7 Mar 2025

Please find attached the submission of Ibec (https://www.ibec.ie/about-us).
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Meeting with Ilaria Flores Martin (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall)

17 Feb 2025 · Nitrates Directive

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Feb 2025 · International Trade

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Feb 2025 · Competitiveness

Ibec Demands Massive Reduction in EU Business Reporting Requirements

31 Jan 2025
Topic — A European Commission consultation regarding the future strategy for the EU Single Market.
Message — Ibec calls for reducing administrative reporting by 25% and introducing checks for business competitiveness. They also want the EU to strictly enforce existing rules through legal action.123
Why — Removing regulatory barriers would lower costs and help Irish businesses scale up.45
Impact — Large countries might be blocked from using subsidies that disadvantage smaller nations.6
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Meeting with Regina Doherty (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Jan 2025 · CMU

Meeting with Billy Kelleher (Member of the European Parliament)

29 Jan 2025 · Trade / Whiskey

Meeting with Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Member of the European Parliament)

28 Jan 2025 · Irish businesses

Meeting with Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Member of the European Parliament)

28 Jan 2025 · Medical Technology

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament)

16 Jan 2025 · EU-UK Relations

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament) and UPS Europe SRL/BV

19 Nov 2024 · EU Trade Policy

Meeting with Regina Doherty (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Nov 2024 · Financial Services

Meeting with John Berrigan (Director-General Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union)

12 Nov 2024 · Remarks on 2024 – 2029 EU Commission agenda Roundtable on CMU, DORA, SEPA,Common European Regulatory Framework

Meeting with Michael Mcnamara (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Nov 2024 · AI and Data Security

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

22 Oct 2024 · EU-UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament)

2 Oct 2024 · EU Trade Policy 2024-2029

Ibec urges flexible, harmonised EU rules for protecting minors

30 Sept 2024
Topic — EU consultation on guidelines for online platforms to protect minors under the Digital Services Act.
Message — Technology Ireland calls for a harmonised EU framework to prevent legal fragmentation. They advocate for a flexible, risk-based approach for online platforms. The group requests clarification that best practices are examples rather than mandatory.123
Why — This would minimize resourcing burdens by avoiding redundant assessments and conflicting national requirements.45
Impact — Children face inconsistent protection if companies bypass recommended safety measures labeled as non-mandatory.67
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Meeting with Maria Walsh (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Sept 2024 · Ibec

Meeting with Michael Mcnamara (Member of the European Parliament)

12 Sept 2024 · Introductory meeting

Meeting with Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Member of the European Parliament)

11 Sept 2024 · Employment policy

Meeting with Regina Doherty (Member of the European Parliament)

10 Sept 2024 · Supports for Irish SMEs

Meeting with Nina Carberry (Member of the European Parliament)

10 Sept 2024 · Introductory Meeting

Response to Rules specifying the obligations laid down in Articles 21(5) and 23(11) of the NIS 2 Directive

24 Jul 2024

Ibec, Ireland's largest lobby and business representative group, welcomes the opportunity to respond to the European Commissions draft Implementing Act further specifying the cyber risk management measures and incident reporting thresholds applicable to digital infrastructure, digital providers, and ICT service managers under NIS2. Please find our feedback in the attached document.
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Ibec urges EU to avoid burdensome new digital regulations

28 Jun 2024
Topic — The consultation explores scenarios for upgrading Europe’s digital connectivity and infrastructure.
Message — Focus on innovation and embedding existing digital regulation, rather than introducing more. Avoid extending the European Electronic Communications Code to all digital actors.12
Why — This prevents increased compliance costs and protects the current internet market model.34
Impact — Consumers would face higher prices and fewer digital services under proposed rules.5
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Meeting with Deirdre Clune (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Mar 2024 · Digital Priorities

Meeting with Maria Walsh (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Mar 2024 · SMEs & Irish Business

Meeting with Kadri Simson (Commissioner) and

9 Feb 2024 · Meeting with the Irish Business and Employers Confederation on data centres and related energy requirements, decarbonisation.

Ibec warns EU against premature reopening of GDPR rules

8 Feb 2024
Topic — A review of the General Data Protection Regulation six years after its implementation.
Message — Ibec argues reopening GDPR is premature due to uncertainty from new laws like the AI Act. They want prioritised coherence between regulations and better guidance using real-world scenarios. They also urge safeguarding international data transfers and the One-Stop-Shop.123
Why — This approach provides legal certainty and prevents increased administrative costs for businesses.45
Impact — Weakening current mechanisms would make it harder for individuals to exercise privacy rights.6
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Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

31 Jan 2024 · IBEC's Outlook 2024

Meeting with Seán Kelly (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Jan 2024 · Meeting on the MDR

Meeting with Deirdre Clune (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Jan 2024 · Medical Devices

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

8 Jan 2024 · Meeting with IBEC Representatives

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Dec 2023 · Why Ireland Should Host the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority

Meeting with Katherine Power (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness)

29 Nov 2023 · Forestry in Ireland

Ibec urges EU protection for all food supply companies

27 Nov 2023
Topic — Evaluation of EU rules protecting farmers against unfair trading practices in food chains.
Message — Ibec requests extending the Directive's scope to cover all suppliers regardless of size. This would ensure a level playing field and prevent market fragmentation.12
Why — Large food and drink firms would finally benefit from legal protections against unfair practices.3
Impact — Smaller suppliers lose business as buyers favor larger, unprotected firms to avoid regulations.4
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Meeting with Ciarán Cuffe (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Nov 2023 · Meeting regarding retailers in Ireland

Meeting with Deirdre Clune (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Nov 2023 · Packaging and Packaging Waste

Meeting with Chris Macmanus (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Nov 2023 · Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

27 Sept 2023 · Trade Policy Competitiveness

Response to Evaluation of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and the European Cybersecurity Certification Framework

15 Sept 2023

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this call. Please see attached file.
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Meeting with Billy Kelleher (Member of the European Parliament)

31 Aug 2023 · EU developments

Meeting with Frances Fitzgerald (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Aug 2023 · Trade and investment

Ibec Urges Flexible EU Sustainability Reporting to Protect Competitiveness

7 Jul 2023
Topic — New EU rules specifying disclosure standards for environmental, social, and governance factors.
Message — Ibec requests more time for companies to adapt and clearer instructions for compliance. They also want rules that protect confidential business information from being publicly disclosed.12
Why — Reduced administrative burdens and legal protection for proprietary information and trade secrets.34
Impact — Environmental groups and local communities lose access to precise data on industrial pollution.5
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Meeting with Grace O'Sullivan (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Jul 2023 · Good Friday Agreement Networking Lunch

Meeting with Frances Fitzgerald (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Jul 2023 · Northern Irish peace process

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Jul 2023 · Good Friday Agreement anniversary event

Meeting with Billy Kelleher (Member of the European Parliament)

3 May 2023 · Waste Packaging Issues

Meeting with Billy Kelleher (Member of the European Parliament)

27 Apr 2023 · General Agri Issues

Ibec urges GDPR enforcement reforms to filter minor complaints

24 Mar 2023
Topic — The initiative aims to harmonise administrative procedures for cross-border GDPR enforcement cases.
Message — Ibec proposes individuals seek recourse from companies directly before filing formal complaints with regulators. They also advocate prioritizing amicable dispute resolution while safeguarding companies' procedural rights.123
Why — This would lower costs for businesses by filtering minor disputes out of court.45
Impact — Individual complainants may face delays and higher barriers to official regulatory protection.6
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Meeting with Billy Kelleher (Member of the European Parliament)

22 Mar 2023 · General: Irish/EU relations/ Single Market/Financial Services Update

Meeting with Chris Macmanus (Member of the European Parliament)

21 Mar 2023 · Brexit, Industrial Emissions Directive, Nature Restoration Law, Nitrates Directive, Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, Green Claims legislation

Meeting with John Berrigan (Director-General Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union)

21 Mar 2023 · Solvency II Review AND AIFMD review

Meeting with Deirdre Clune (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

21 Mar 2023 · Artificial Intelligence Act

Meeting with Kevin Keary (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

21 Mar 2023 · EU Trade policy including Free Trade Agreements, EU-UK relations/Windsor Framework, Digital Trade

Meeting with Frances Fitzgerald (Member of the European Parliament)

20 Mar 2023 · FSI

Meeting with Lukas Visek (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

22 Feb 2023 · Transition towards sustainable food systems

Meeting with Valdis Dombrovskis (Executive Vice-President) and BUSINESSEUROPE and

16 Feb 2023 · Critical Raw Materials package

Response to New Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean

8 Feb 2023

Irish Whiskey Association Feedback on the proposed New Agenda for EU relations with Latin America and the Caribbean (Full submission included as attachment) The Irish Whiskey Association is the lead representative body of the Irish whiskey industry, representing companies accounting for over 99% of global sales of Irish whiskey. The Irish Whiskey Association is a member of spiritsEUROPE. Irish whiskey is one of the EUs largest GI exports with over 15 million cases (180 million bottles) sold globally in 2022, an increase of over 200% since 2010. Historically, exports of Irish whiskey have been dominated by Europe and North America, with recent market diversification in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region in more recent years. As global exports of Irish whiskey continue to grow and market diversification continues apace, Latin America and the Caribbean is considered a major growth priority for coming years. Sales in the region reached 125,000 cases in 2021, an increase of 45% since 2018. Sales have been led by Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. Subject to the supportive market conditions, it is possible that sales of Irish whiskey in the Latin America and Caribbean region could replicate what has been seen in India and Nigeria in the past three years, where over 100,000 cases of new annual sales have been achieved from previously low bases. The Irish Whiskey Association welcomes the proposal for a New Agenda for EU relations with Latin America and the Caribbean; and recognises it potential to support future Irish whiskey export growth to Latin America and Caribbean markets. The Irish Whiskey Association wishes to offer feedback on two points: 1. Ratification of the EU Mercosur FTA With a population of over 270 million, the Mercosur blocs offer substantial market potential. The EU-Mercosur FTA would deliver significant benefits for EU spirits exporters, including Irish whiskey exporters. A summary of benefits are set-out in the attached full submission. In July 2021, the Government of Ireland published the Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment for Ireland of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement which was prepared by the Implement Consulting Group. At a high-level, the assessment found that overall, the EU-Mercosur Agreement is forecast to increase Irelands exports to Mercosur by 17% and imports by 12%. The increase in exports to Mercosur will be worth 1.2 billion in 2035. More specifically the assessment found that the Irish Whiskey industry would benefit from the application of the EU-Mercosur agreement. Demand is relatively price sensitive, and Irish Whiskey sales to Mercosur markets have been significantly limited by (existing) tariffs. The Irish Whiskey Association welcomes recent signals that the time may be right for a finalisation and approval of the EUMercosur FTA; and calls for this objective to be the No. 1 priority of the proposed New Agenda for EU relations with Latin America and the Caribbean. 2. Enhanced regulatory cooperation to address and prevent regulatory barriers Regulatory cooperation is key to address existing trade barriers and to prevent barriers from arising. The Irish Whiskey Association calls on the EU to enhance its efforts, at a bilateral and multilateral level, to enhance regulatory cooperation with Latin America and Caribbean states to address and prevent regulatory barriers. Two examples of current challenges are set out in the attached full submission.
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Ibec warns Media Freedom Act risks content moderation loopholes

20 Jan 2023
Topic — The consultation seeks views on a proposed framework to protect media pluralism and independence.
Message — The group wants narrower definitions for media services to prevent unintended parties from being regulated. They request that content moderation rules align with the Digital Services Act to ensure they are practicable. They also argue against a self-declaration system that might grant special treatment to certain providers.123
Why — This would prevent tech platforms from facing unworkable administrative burdens and conflicting legal obligations.4
Impact — Online safety efforts may suffer if certain media actors receive exemptions from standard moderation.5
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Meeting with Patricia Reilly (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness)

8 Nov 2022 · Ibec and the Irish Med Tech Association discussed implementation of the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and its potential impact on future patient access to medtech, as well as R&D and investment

Meeting with Joanna Stawowy (Cabinet of Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski) and Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins

12 Oct 2022 · The Irish TRIS notification on Alcohol Labels

Meeting with Seán Kelly (Member of the European Parliament)

12 Oct 2022 · official opening of Ibec’s new Brussels office

Meeting with Anthony Whelan (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen)

12 Oct 2022 · Digital policy - highlight positive case studies on Ibec's, discuss the latest developments shaping Europe’s Digital Future and exchange views

Meeting with Patricia Reilly (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness)

6 Sept 2022 · General EU issues since Mrs Reilly became Head of Cabinet on 1 September.

Meeting with Kadri Simson (Commissioner) and EirGrid Group plc and

2 Jun 2022 · REPowerEU Plan; EU Energy Platform

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

13 May 2022 · SDGs

Meeting with Dārta Tentere (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness), Peter Power (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness)

3 May 2022 · Sanctions

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for opinion)

31 Mar 2022 · CSDDD

Meeting with Seán Kelly (Member of the European Parliament)

23 Mar 2022 · Irish energy policy, pharma policy and Fit for 55 package

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

23 Mar 2022 · EU Drinks Industry

Meeting with Mairead McGuinness (Commissioner) and

22 Mar 2022 · Meeting with Food & Drinks Ireland

Meeting with Mairead McGuinness (Commissioner)

22 Mar 2022 · Address at IBEC event - EU response to Ukraine

Meeting with John Berrigan (Director-General Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union)

21 Mar 2022 · Insurance sector's interpretation, Taxonomy

Meeting with Nicolas Schmit (Commissioner) and

3 Mar 2022 · Minimum wage proposal, Platform work proposal, Labour shortages, Right to Request Remote Working Bill, Social dialogue.

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

1 Mar 2022 · Irish and European Competitiveness

Meeting with Mairead McGuinness (Commissioner)

10 Feb 2022 · Delivered speech at webinar - Taxonomy, CSRD, Sustainable Corporate Governance and CMU

Meeting with Katherine Power (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness)

6 Sept 2021 · Introductory meeting – European Green Deal

Meeting with Claude Bocqueraz (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness), Katherine Power (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness)

14 Jul 2021 · Capital Markets Union, Digital Finance, Sustainable Finance, and Anti-Money Laundering.

Meeting with Katherine Power (Cabinet of Commissioner Mairead Mcguinness)

14 Jul 2021 · Introductory meeting

Meeting with Elina Melngaile (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis), Michael Hager (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis) and

23 Jun 2021 · EU-US trade relations; Trade relations with other third countries

Response to Revision of EU legislation on hazard classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals

31 May 2021

Biopharmachem Ireland supports the Commission’s objective to revise, to improve and to simplify the CLP regulation. CLP should not unilaterally diverge from the UN GHS for classification of chemicals as this will put EU based legal entities at a competitive disadvantage. Since CLP is designed to implement GHS in the EU, any policy changes should first be discussed at the international level to ensure consistency and ensure that GHS is truly harmonised across geographies. BPCI is concerned that if the Commission plans to introduce additional hazard classes under the CLP Regulation in advance of securing GHS alignment, this will hamper clear and consistent communication on chemical hazards globally as well as potentially creating non-tariff trade barriers.
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Response to Revision of EU legislation on registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals

31 May 2021

Biopharmachem Ireland supports the Commission’s objective to revise, to improve and to simplify the REACH regulation. The biopharmachem sector is highly regulated under medicinal legislation and complies with existing community legislation that adequately protects workers, consumers, and the environment. The sector has excellent levels of regulatory compliance (EHS/Quality/Environment), reducing manufacturing risk or risk of supply interruptions and a depth of compliance experience. In the case of intermediates, which are handled under strictly controlled conditions (SCC - REACH Art 18.4(a) to (f)), we do not see a specific need to increase data requirements, as it would not lead to increased protection of human health and the environment. We welcome the Commission proposal in the CARACAL paper (CA/61/2020) illustrating how the Essential Use Concept could make the evaluation of authorisation applications more efficient. However, the terms and conditions of a medicinal products authorisation need due consideration when defining any essentiality criteria for this purpose. The operationalisation of the “Essential Use” concept into the restriction & authorisation processes must take into account the features of the biopharmachem industry in order to secure legal certainty, competitiveness and production of medicines in Europe. Considering pharmacists and healthcare professionals as consumers would adversely affect and potentially restrict the delivery of medical treatment to patients while not providing any additional benefits to this group. It would also mean that medicinal products and this group of professionals would be subject to double regulation.
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Response to Europe’s digital decade: 2030 digital targets

9 Mar 2021

Ibec welcomes the opportunity to respond to this roadmap consultation. Please find attached.
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Response to Digital Operational Resilience of Financial Services (DORFS) Act

15 Feb 2021

Please see the attached submission.
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Response to Setting of nutrient profiles

1 Feb 2021

Food Drink Ireland (FDI) is the Ibec trade association for the food and drink industry in Ireland. The attached document outlines important considerations for front of pack nutrition labelling on the Irish market. This includes data from a recent FDI member survey on this issue.
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Meeting with Mairead McGuinness (Commissioner)

28 Jan 2021 · EU priorities for the year.

Meeting with Barry Andrews (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Jan 2021 · Brexit

Response to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy

15 Dec 2020

Despite the aviation industry going through its worst crisis ever with Covid-19, Aircraft Leasing Ireland stays committed to contribute towards transitioning aviation to a low-carbon economy. In that light it is imperative that investments in conventional aircraft is directed towards the aircraft with the lowest energy intensity. To that end it is critical that i) aviation decarbonisation initiatives including relevant technical screening criteria be included in the EU taxonomy for sustainable investments and ii) the EU taxonomy is implemented as swiftly as reasonably possible (Draft Delegate Regulation point 22), including investment in current Best-in-Class aircraft. Key to transitioning aviation to a low-carbon economy, apart from operating aircraft with lowest possible energy intensity, is expanding the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Manufacture of biofuels for use in transport is included in 4.13 of the Annex; however, manufacture of hydrogen-based fuels for use in transport is not included. Biofuels are commercially available to aviation today; however, hydrogen-based fuels (so called electro fuels or power-to-X) will become a key component in aviation’s pathway to carbon neutrality and consequently it is in the interest of the EU and national governments to include manufacture of SAF in its broadest sense (including hydrogen-based fuels, not just limited to biofuels as currently drafted) for use in transport in clause 4.13 of the Annex.
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Meeting with Anthony Whelan (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen)

8 Oct 2020 · Discussion with IBEC members on digital issues, e.g. open strategic autonomy, AI, cloud federation, tax, skills.

Response to Requirements for Artificial Intelligence

10 Sept 2020

Many thanks for the opportunity to comment. Please attached document.
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Response to Legislative framework for the governance of common European data spaces

30 Jul 2020

Ibec, the Irish business group, welcomes the opportunity to respond to this European Commission consultation. Please find attached paper.
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Meeting with Dermot Ryan (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

27 Jan 2020 · effects on EU/US trade dispute on the sector

Meeting with Dermot Ryan (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

10 Dec 2019 · priorities of the incoming Commission and DG Trade's WP

Meeting with Phil Hogan (Commissioner)

24 Sept 2019 · Launch of Strategy document for biopharmachem

Response to More efficient law-making in taxation: a move to QMV

14 Jan 2019

To whom it may concern, Please see the file attached. Kind regards, Gerard Brady
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Meeting with Joshua Salsby (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

22 Nov 2018 · Aviation issues

Meeting with Phil Hogan (Commissioner)

9 Nov 2018 · Agri Trade

Response to Realignment of the North Sea – Mediterranean Core Network Corridor - BREXIT preparedness

30 Aug 2018

I attach a document setting out the views of the Irish Ports Association, which represents all of the major ports in the Republic of Ireland. (The IPA is affiliated to Ireland's leading business representative organisation Ibec, whose Transparency Register Number is quoted below.)
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Meeting with Marlene Madsen (Cabinet of Vice-President Jyrki Katainen)

22 Mar 2018 · Future of Europe

Meeting with Tom Tynan (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

21 Mar 2018 · Business discussion

Response to Review of the European Supervisory Authorities

20 Jan 2018

Please see attached feedback document.
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Meeting with Juho Romakkaniemi (Cabinet of Vice-President Jyrki Katainen)

6 Dec 2017 · IE, Economy, Trade

Meeting with Ditte Juul Jørgensen (Cabinet of Commissioner Margrethe Vestager)

6 Dec 2017 · Ireland as a substance economy

Response to Fairness in platform-to-business relations

22 Nov 2017

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Please find attached document from Ibec, the Irish business organisation. The document outlines our principles on online platforms.
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Meeting with Jan Ceyssens (Cabinet of Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

8 Nov 2017 · ESAs review; regulatory issues

Meeting with Shane Sutherland (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

25 Oct 2017 · Forestry

Response to Delegated act under Article 15(12) of the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU

2 Oct 2017

Ibec is Ireland’s largest business organisation and the voice of Irish business on a domestic, European and international level. Our members employ around 70% of the Irish private sector workforce and we employ over 200 staff in seven locations across Ireland and in Brussels. I write concerning the draft Implementing Acts in relation to Articles 15 and 16 of the Tobacco Products Directive. Ibec has previously expressed concern in relation to the Everis Report commissioned by the European Commission on the issue of Track and Trace. We expressed concerns that the Everis report proposes an unnecessarily costly and unduly burdensome system that will add significant costs and complexity to the supply chain across the manufacturing, wholesale and retail sectors. It will require major changes to the current hardware and software arrangements of many businesses. It is largely based on new proprietary systems and not open standards. There will be a negative impact on the supply chain both in terms of its implementation and technical feasibility. We wish to repeat these concerns in light of many of these proposals appearing in the draft Implementing Acts and in particular the additional economic burden that will arise from the requirement to use Unique Identifiers when marking for aggregate level and when reporting on transactional events right across the supply chain. We note as well the lack of inter-operability with existing international open standards used in supply chains such as GS1. These proposals will result in an unnecessarily costly and unduly burdensome system that will add significant costs and complexity to the supply chain. There will be a negative impact on the supply chain both in terms of its implementation and technical feasibility.
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Meeting with Phil Hogan (Commissioner)

26 Sept 2017 · Threats to the continued growth of Spirits Industry

Meeting with Shane Sutherland (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

6 Sept 2017 · General

Meeting with Dominique Ristori (Director-General Energy)

6 Sept 2017 · energy policy development

Meeting with Tom Tynan (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

12 Jul 2017 · Business discussion

Meeting with Dermot Ryan (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan), Tom Tynan (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

29 Jun 2017 · AGRI related issues

Meeting with Phil Hogan (Commissioner)

1 Mar 2017 · Recording for IBEC conference

Meeting with Shane Sutherland (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

22 Feb 2017 · Free Momvement and Trade

Meeting with Tom Tynan (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

24 Jan 2017 · Business discussion

Meeting with Shane Sutherland (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

6 Dec 2016 · Business Outlook

Meeting with Tom Tynan (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

22 Nov 2016 · Agri matters

Meeting with Shane Sutherland (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

22 Nov 2016 · General

Response to REACH Regulation - Annex XIV

10 Oct 2016

BioPharmaChem Ireland is the representative body for over fifty multinational and indigenous biopharmaceutical and chemical companies in Ireland. Its mission is to ensure Ireland is the global centre of excellence for innovation in the development and manufacture of pharmaceutical and biologics medicine in this sector. We address our comments specifically to 4-tert-Octylphenol ethoxylates (herein referenced as Triton X-100). The Biopharmaceutical sector in Ireland supports over 55,000 jobs directly or indirectly. The development and manufacturing of new, innovative human and veterinary medicines for many of the world’s leading healthcare companies’ remains at the core of the Irish Government’s strategy for continued growth and investment in the Irish economy. Recent investments of over €3 Bn from global leading biotech companies have embedded Ireland as a leading location for the development and manufacture of biologic medicines. Triton X-100 is used to ensure blood plasma and biopharmaceutical medicines are safe by enabling the removal of viruses from medicines without affecting the quality of the active pharmaceutical ingredients. A decision to place Triton X-100 onto Annexe XIV of the REACH regulation has the potential to cause significant impact to investment in the Biopharma sector and to patient safety in Ireland and Europe. REACH Authorisation is unpredictable, uncertain and is anti-competitive as it doesn’t apply to non EU based manufacturing. For affected companies located in Ireland who have available manufacturing capacity outside the EU, it is a disincentive to long-term investment within Ireland’s manufacturing facilities. This is particularly acute for pipeline medicines that use substances such as Triton X100. Predictability and certainty are of major importance to multinational Biopharma companies, who have a choice to invest in Ireland or not. These investment and sourcing decisions are being made today to ensure the supply of medicines to the patient is not placed at risk. The Irish economy will be disproportionally impacted by this outcome as pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical medicines accounts for a significantly higher portion of GDP than other countries in the EU. Triton X-100 and the S/D method of viral inactivation is considered the most widely used, most validated and robust pathogen inactivation technology known today and so the overall impact of a time limited authorisation to public health could be significant. In essence the current guidelines for the granting of Authorisations (4, 7 and 12 years) would not, in any respect, be adequate to support the long lead time and lifecycle needs for already commercialised medicines. This will lead to an increased risk for the supply of safe and efficacious medicines if manufacturers are required to conduct the necessary testing and meet the regulatory hurdles to prove the effectiveness of an alternative to Triton X-100. Ireland has developed an extraordinary track record in terms of compliance with statutory and quality regulations. Regular consumer and regulatory audits by the EMA and FDA confirm Ireland as a world class, safe location for the production of medicines. Removing, or subjecting to a time limited use, substances such as Triton X-100 that are critical to maintaining the safety of our medicines, is a disproportionate measure that threatens this hard won reputation of our sector. Triton X 100 is already controlled under various legislative mechanisms for the protection of the Environment, and our sector believes that there are alternative risk management options for the substance that can achieve the same objectives as Authorisation. We call on the Commission to conduct and publish an impact assessment to establish the risk/ benefit to the Biopharma sector of placing Triton X-100 onto Annexe XIV and furthermore we call for the removal of Triton X-100 from the draft regulation until such time as this risk / benefit is conducted a
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Meeting with Peter Power (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

8 Sept 2016 · The impact of Brexit on Irish business

Meeting with Shane Sutherland (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

8 Sept 2016 · Growth and Competitiveness

Meeting with Andrus Ansip (Vice-President) and

8 Sept 2016 · Telecom, free flow of data, digital skills, e-commerce, e-government, spectrum, privacy shield

Meeting with Miguel Arias Cañete (Commissioner) and Greenpeace European Unit and

13 May 2016 · EU energy and climate agenda for 2016

Meeting with Joachim Balke (Cabinet of Vice-President Miguel Arias Cañete), Yvon Slingenberg (Cabinet of Vice-President Miguel Arias Cañete)

28 Sept 2015 · Developments stemming from the Energy Union package

Meeting with Michelle Sutton (Cabinet of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

28 Jul 2015 · Commission piorities; better regulation agenda.

Meeting with Carl-Christian Buhr (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

7 May 2015 · Preliminary views on the European Commission's upcoming package on Europe's digital economy

Meeting with Phil Hogan (Commissioner) and

23 Jan 2015 · Meeting board of Directors of IBEC to discuss Commission Work Programme

Meeting with Phil Hogan (Commissioner)

23 Jan 2015 · Commissioner work programme for 2015 and policy priorities for the 5 year term as Commissionr.

Meeting with Catherine Day (Secretary-General Secretariat-General)

9 Dec 2014 · Launch of IBEC Business Priorities