825. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he received a response to the letter he sent on the 20 of June 2026 to European Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque relating to the recommendations made by the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach; the further action he intends to take to carry out these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59161/26]

In relation to the principle recommendation that we engage with the European Commission at official and Ministerial level with regard to a review of the Prospectus Regulation, at time of writing I have not received a reply from Commissioner Albuquerque. I look forward to her response and will consider any further response at that time.

In relation to the other recommendations that were contained in the Report by the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach;

• The recommendation that the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) conduct a risk assessment, including their obligations under international law. I am informed that as part of its wider Sustainability and Responsible Investment (SRI) Strategy, ISIF pursues an Active Ownership strategy, this is facilitated by its engagement manager, "EOS at Federated Hermes". Active Ownership emphasises responsible wealth creation through active engagement on ESG priorities.

• In relation to the recommendations in the Committee’s Report that were addressed to the Central Bank of Ireland, I understand that the CBI has reviewed the recommendations in the report issued by the Committee; that the CBI has had various correspondences with the Committee; and the Bank at senior level have set out their position both in writing and at various public sessions of the Committee, most recently on July 15 2026.

Furthermore, it is important to note that the Central Bank, as the financial regulator, is independent in its functions from the Government as is necessary in any well-functioning democracy and it would not be appropriate for a Minister for Finance to engage with the Central Bank on individual supervisory engagements.

We as a Government believe that further action is necessary with respect to the EU's relationship with the State of Israel, which is why we are working with others to achieve co-ordinated action at EU level. Ireland will continue to call for concrete EU action in response to egregious Israeli breaches of human rights and democratic principles. This includes a call for a proposal to prohibit EU trade with Israeli settlements, to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, or at a minimum to suspend the trade elements of the Agreement as previously proposed by the President of the European Commission.