During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: I would like to add my voice to the long time lone voice of Senator Walsh on the issue of tribunals. There is little doubt that there is a serious need for debate on these tribunals. There have been concerns about the fairness, cost and inefficiency of them, so I agree with the need for a debate...

During Statements on the Common Agricultural Policy post-2013 in the Seanad, I said: I have spoken on the Common Agricultural Policy during the years. Approximately ten years ago Herr Fischler appeared before the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I criticised him for speaking for 20 minutes about food and agriculture without once mentioning the consumer...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: If this House is under threat, as it is, it is in our own hands to earn respect, regard and our future. That means we should talk about action, what we are going to do and what should take place rather than merely look to the past...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Fitzgerald, has called on the Government to do something about job creation and, understandably, criticised the number of reports sought and task forces and committees set up during the years to tackle the issue. However, that is the way we will achieve it...

Last Friday my office rang a Department to ask if there was a reply to a letter I had sent in the first week of March. We were told that owing to the work to rule since January no letters were being replied to...

During a Seanad Motion on Ministerial Pensions, I said: I welcome the fact that we are having this worthwhile debate. It is interesting because about 25 years ago I made a comment, long before I was ever involved with this House, about ministerial pensions...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: I support Senator McFadden’s comments on today’s 1916 commemoration ceremony. I have attended it on several occasions but found this year’s event to be particularly moving because of the remarks of the Bishop of Down and Connor, the Rev. Noel Treanor...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: In Britain and Denmark, a home testing kit has been developed in the fight against bowel cancer. This is a useful development and one we should seriously consider...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: If we are to attract the best people to politics, we must ensure it is regarded highly. The matter is not just relevant to politics but to the public service...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: I welcome the Fines Bill 2009. The cost to the State of keeping an offender in prison for one week has been estimated at more than €2,000, a sum in excess of the great majority of court fines...