Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We would be very happy to have Senator Ruane join us in the Labour Party.

On a more sombre note, as I did not have the opportunity yesterday, I wish to join with colleagues in expressing sincere condolences and sympathies to the families and victims of those caught up in the horrific Manchester bomb attack and to express sympathy also to the people of Manchester at this appalling carnage. It is a new low targeting children in this way. I urge colleagues to sign the book of condolences which the Lord Mayor has opened in Dublin's Mansion House today, and I know many will do that.

On a happier note, I join Senator Ardagh in congratulating Senator Clifford-Lee on the great news of the birth of her baby.

I ask the Leader for a debate on white collar crime. It requires the Minister for Justice and Equality to come into this House to discuss the serious issues that have arisen following the collapse of the trial of Seán FitzPatrick, about which others have spoken. Looking at the comments of Judge John Aylmer in directing the acquittal yesterday and noting that the Director of Public Prosecutions had already dropped nine of the 27 charges at the close of the prosecution's case, we see some serious issues emerging about the conduct of the prosecution, in particular the conduct of the investigation by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, ODCE, and by its officials.

In particular, the judge seems to have focused on the way in which witness statements were prepared. They were prepared as if for a civil trial with numerous drafts to and fro and none of the normal meticulous procedures used that one would have in a criminal trial in terms of witness statements. A number of issues arise. I noted other comments of the judge about lack of impartially by the ODCE and the fact that it seemed to be building a case rather than seeking to investigate impartially. There are a number of different issues. It would require the Minister for Justice and Equality to speak with us on the means of investigating complex matters of white collar crime to ensure that this sort of outcome does not transpire again.

I also ask the Leader for a debate on maternity services in light of the HSE's review of maternity cases published this week and also in light of the huge concern many of us have around the governance issues with the move of the national maternity hospital to St. Vincent's Hospital. We are expecting some statement imminently from the Minister for Health on that matter but the review of the cases, particularly in Portlaoise, raise bigger questions also about maternity care in this country and about the treatment of pregnant women and babies in hospitals. I ask for a debate on that in due course.I ask colleagues for their support this evening for the Labour Party's Private Members' Bill, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap Information) Bill 2017. We hope the Government will support it and that there will not have to be a vote on Second Stage. There will be quite a number of people from the trade union movement and the National Women's Council present inside and outside the Chamber to support the passage of the Bill.