Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I draw the attention of colleagues to a great protest by primary students from a number of Educate Together schools which will take place outside Leinster House today. While this is entirely their own initiative, they are inspired by a Swedish schoolgirl, Greta Thunberg. They are being supported by their teachers and by members of the INTO as they call for action on climate change under the slogan "we can't wait". It is really great to see students and children who are so young engaging in such activism on such a pressing issue.

I join Senators Norris and Boyhan in thanking the Leader for organising today's debate on the case of Shane O'Farrell and specifically on a motion on that case. I look forward to contributing to the debate. It is important that we renew the debate on this matter, having debated it in June of last year.

I would like to get clarification on a matter that was raised in the Dáil yesterday by my party leader, Deputy Howlin. Now that we know something, at least, about the cost overruns, has the Attorney General considered whether the revised tender price for the children's hospital is compliant with EU procurement directives, particularly 2014/24/EU, which requires that a new tendering process be conducted if certain modifications to original plans are carried out, and specifically if the renewed price is to be increased by more than 50% of the value of the original contract?We know that has been exceeded so there is a real concern about the legality of the process now we know so much more about it. I ask the Leader to seek clarification on this. It has been raised in the Dáil but it is a very important matter.

I join others in supporting Senator Ruane's Bill on rehabilitation periods, which will be taken this evening. It is very important and it builds on the Government's framework from 2016, which was very welcome. For the first time we saw rehabilitation of offenders introduced in principle and a measure on expunging convictions from the record. Senator Ruane's Bill builds on that and makes the process much fairer, implementing a proportionality that is currently lacking from the process. I hope we can see support from all sides, especially the Government side, for the Bill.