During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: A number of us attended the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation event this morning to which Senator Fitzgerald and others referred. We were very impressed at the amount of work being done there and the level of active citizenship involved in such organisations...

During a Seanad debate on the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009, I said: I feel a little weak in this area and do not have considerable experience, as confirmed to me when I listened to Senator Corrigan, who has a background in psychology, and also to Senators Feeney and Healy Eames...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: If the Minister for Finance responded to the suggestion I am about to make, there would be an outcry. He would be brave indeed. I want to draw attention to the tax amnesty in Italy.

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: Some years ago a Japanese businessman said to me that if the Japanese had a brand like St. Patrick’s Day, they would use it well. I say this to highlight the value of a brand. Last week Senator O’Toole referred to the importance of the National University of Ireland brand which I believe must be maintained in some way...

I raised on the adjournment the very important issue of our National Archives. I said: I am concerned about the National Archives which performs a vital role that is often forgotten. Its purpose is two-fold: to care for past public records, some of which are, for good reason, closed to the public and to superintend the storage of archives in public institutions and to arrange for their final transfer..

During a motion on Seanad reform, I said: I have listened to every Member who has spoken in this debate and I have found it very interesting. In two weeks’ time I will begin my 18th year in the Seanad. I appreciate the opportunity to have become involved and many Members share that view. I have been impressed with the level of debate in the Seanad during those 18 years and with what has been done. I agree entirely with those who maintain we are not recognised.

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: I add my words to those congratulating Senator Pascal Mooney. He is very talented and has shown a great interest in a wide-ranging number of topics. I am delighted to have him back. He has been a Member of the House ever since I came to the House 16 years ago and I have always found him very interesting...

During a Seanad debate on the Communications Regulation Bill 2009, I said: the Bill is welcome. I am confident that when enacted, it will provide an effective and robust regulatory regime that will ensure the protection of users of premium rate services and restore confidence in the regulation of the sector. Coming from a business background I have a slight problem with the caveat emptor need. We cannot protect everybody from everything and there is a danger that we tend to do that in various ways.

I spoke on the 'Today with Pat Kenny' show (RTE Radio 1) on how businesses can fare in the recession. [Link to RTE Podcast]

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: This is one of the few days in the year on which we do not call for an urgent debate on a particular topic. I remind Members, in the context of the criticism we have heard in the past year which may weaken our resolve, of what we can achieve in the House. We are listened to and have the power to influence issues...