During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said:  I am delighted about the attention being given in recent days to problems in the Border area, particularly the fuel smuggling that has gone on. I hope something comes of it. We have debated this before and have asked for debates on it before. It really is bandit country up there, both north and immediately south of the Border. It seems they can get away with it with impunity...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said:  Will the Acting Leader give consideration to finding time in the near future for a debate on the possibility that Britain will leave the Common Market? Britain is planning to have an election and hold a referendum to leave the Common Market. While it may be nothing to do with us, it appears as though it has a lot to do with us. It is a threat to the economy...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said:  According to a report published yesterday by the Small Firms Association, absenteeism is costing this country approximately €1 billion per annum. The report also states that when other costs such as replacing staff and a lack of productivity are taken into account, absenteeism is a huge cost to us. Yesterday, steps to address the sick note culture in Britain were announced. It is an initiative worthy of consideration by us...

During a Seanad debate on the appointment of the Ombudsman for children, I said: welcome the Minister and thank him for giving us such an explanation of Dr. Muldoon's CV, if I may say that. It seems to me that we have exactly the right man in Dr. Muldoon. The role is important given that we have such a young population that is also increasing at the fastest rate in the EU. We need someone who can listen to children, and based on what we have heard today from various speakers, I think we have somebody...