Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In terms of procurement specifically, the answer is "No". As new tenders go up online, they are obviously looked at. All of our tenders would go through eTenders and they are looked at against set criteria, which would absolutely include social and ethical clauses. Human rights would come under ethical clauses. To the Senator's wider point, I agree that we are seeing some companies, some of which are based here, implementing quite significant and dramatic changes when it comes to diversity, equality and inclusion strategies. As a former employee of a company that had a really progressive diversity and inclusion strategy, I find that very disturbing. I really do think we are in a very unique space and that it is the exact opposite of progressive. Very many people come to live and work in Ireland because we are a progressive and modern country and I must express my dissatisfaction with some companies' stances on that.