During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I raised several issues. I said: Today was a good day for the Seanad. It was particularly rewarding to hear the speeches made by the various parties. We enhanced our reputation and I believe this is a first step that will be followed by others in the same direction...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: My attention was drawn some years ago to the very large number of road deaths occurring in Ireland. I am delighted to say the number has decreased dramatically in the past ten years. My attention was also drawn recently to the European Commission website on road safety and its section on travelling abroad reminds people travelling to different parts of Europe to stay within the law...

During the Second Stage Seanad debate on the Credit Guarantee Bill 2012, I said: I welcome the Minister of State and the Bill. I am delighted the Minister of State, who has responsibility for SMEs, is taking the Bill. Over recent years I went around the country visiting retailers and others and discovered an assumption that they could not get a loan...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: The good news is that last night the Construction Contracts Bill passed through Second Stage in the Dáil. I mention this as it is a Bill that was initiated in the Seanad over two years ago. It now goes to the Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform. Although that is not our baby, anything we can do in the next couple of weeks to get that Bill into that sub-committee and then passed so it can come back to the Seanad and become law should be done...