Unionists on council cautious of adopting new ethical procurement policy

The local authority’s strategy, policy and resources committee has agreed to consider adopting a new policy to prevent it from doing business with companies profiting from the violation of human rights.

The committee highlighted the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine whilst also alluding to different “ethical outlooks” of political parties in the chamber.

Downpatrick Sinn Fein councillor, Oonagh Hanlon, brought forward the motion. She said: “NMDDC deplores those corporations that profit from protracted armed conflict and systemic violations of human rights, particularly in the context of Israel’s continuing brutal assault on the people of Gaza and escalating terrorism in the West Bank, Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and other conflicts around the world.”

She added: “By adopting an ethical procurement policy the council will be able to implement a process to exclude businesses and companies involved in human rights and international law violations when tendering bids.

“Companies deemed in breach of guiding principles on human rights should be excluded from the tendering process as a policy objection.”

Slieve Gullion UUP councillor, David Taylor stated that he could not give his support to the motion at this stage as it was a “complex issue”, which needed “more work”.

A similar approach was raised by DUP councillor, Alan Lewis who requested clarity that any review “would be brought back for scrutiny”.

Slieve Croob Alliance councillor, Andrew McMurray added: “I would like to know who arbitrates in this, is it Human Rights Watch, is it UN standard who says people from certain countries are in violation of human rights ?

“Because, with the greatest will in the world I am going to have a different ethical outlook than my Sinn Fein colleagues, who might have a different outlook than my DUP or UUP colleagues. Though, we are happy to support the motion.

“So, I am just curious as to how all this goes forward.”

A council officer told the chamber that the review would take place in the early autumn with a report being brought back to the committee for debate.

“None of us here are procurement lawyers and that is why we really need to get legal advice behind this, because there are a number of legal regulations, we are going to have to keep that balance here.”