During a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service, I said:  I thank all the delegates for their presentations. Some of the details they have given have opened my eyes. I think it was Dr. Colm McCarthy who said we were not short of compassion but of cash...

During a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committe on European Affairs, I said: We were very impressed by the Minister’s recent visit to Sudan to seek the release of two GOAL workers, one of whom is an Irish citizen. In the past when kidnappings took place, they were taken off the agenda very quickly. I remember the time when Don Tidey was kidnapped many years ago; his colleagues had to go out ten days later to seek publicity because the matter had been taken off the agenda. The same has happened more recently in the case of others...

During a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs, I said: I welcome the Taoiseach. Last year, I did not reach a decision on the Lisbon treaty until I had weighed up all the arguments. Any of the matters to which I will refer at this meeting will reflect the changes that have occurred since last year. I almost feel like a bride at a wedding saying to her husband to be “Of course I love you darling, but do you mind if I keep the furniture in my own name?” It appears as if we are seeking special treatment...