During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: What an interesting Seanad session this has been. Next February, please God, I will have been a Member of the House for 19 years. I note how well the new Senators have settled in and participated in this Seanad. They have been helped no end by the Cathaoirleach and the Leader of the House, among others.

During the Second Stage Seanad debate on the Fiscal Responsibility (Statement) Bill 2011, I said: I second the motion and welcome the Minister of State. This is an interesting Bill and we should be grateful for the opportunity to have Senator Sean D. Barrett in the House. We do not often have an economist of such stature in the Seanad who is able to do what is contained in the Bill...

"Drogheda's retailers work with Feargal Quinn to campaign for people to shop locally, while the team explores how their Local Heroes initiative can be sustained."

To watch the sixth episode of 'Local Heroes - A Town Fights Back', please go here to go to RTE player.

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: I am normally reluctant to propose or second an amendment that would delay the work of the House and a Minister due to come here to speak to us, but I listened carefully to what Senator Crown had to say and he made a strong case. It is with pleasure, therefore, that I support his proposed amendment to the Order of Business to request the Taoiseach to come to the House today to debate the issue of democracy...

During the Order of Business in the Seand, I said: In March 1996 in the British House of Commons, the discovery of a link between CJD and BSE was announced — in other words, a link between mad cow disease and the human form of the disease. It devastated the beef industry in Britain to the extent that from 1996 to 2007, no beef was exported from Britain, including Northern Ireland. That did not apply to the Republic of Ireland due to very tight controls here...

When the very survival of any organisation is threatened, it tends to focus one’s attention. However, this House has not been devoting sufficient attention to its own survival. If the Seanad is abolished and we have done nothing about it, it will be very much our own fault...

During the Second Stage Seanad debate on the Financial Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011, I said: On this side of the House, we regard ourselves not as Opposition but as non-Government because sometimes we are with the Government. I welcome the Minister of State and this Bill to the House. I regard it as a rubber-stamp of the will of the people. More than 80% of us voted in favour of a reduction in judges’ pay...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: I was jolted recently to discover that several of the high-tech companies that were coaxed into investing in Ireland have been unable to find the talent they require among job applicants, particularly in regard to coding and computer technology, and have had to import staff...

"Drogheda sets up a timebank for people and businesses to trade their skills, while Feargal Quinn works with local retailers to create a big Christmas shopping event."

To watch the fifth episode of 'Local Heroes - A Town Fights Back', please click here to go to RTE player.

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: For some 16 years, I have been seeking that we and Britain should join Central European Time as this would give us an extra hour all evening, every evening of the year. I am delighted to inform the House that the British and the British House of Commons have listened to me and at a meeting last week, the Irish Government said that if the British were moving in that direction, we would do the same...