It is 450 days since President Higgins signed the Construction Contracts Act 2013 to enable it to become law. However, the Act has not yet been enforced. Not a day goes by when sub-contractors do not ask what is delaying this Act. I can understand why a Government moves slowly on occasion but if this House initiates legislation that is subsequently passed by both Houses, why has nothing happened?...

During a Seanad debate on the European Stability Mechanism (Amendment) Bill 2014, I said: While this is a relatively technical Bill, the overall aim of the European Stability Mechanism is to provide an insurance scheme against future shocks to the financial system. The Minister explained the position very well. Unfortunately, we have still not separated the debt of ordinary customers and the massive and reckless debts of certain banks. A fundamental principle needs to be implemented in mechanisms such as the ESM to prevent another financial crisis in future...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said:  I am concerned about competition. I am a great believer in it but I keep my eyes open. There has been far less competition in the petrol and oil business than used to be the case. A number of petrol stations have closed down. I read recently there has been a reduction of 16% in the Brent oil price, yet there does not appear to be any reduction in the price of fuel in petrol stations around the country, certainly not in Dublin as far as I am aware. That is something that would be worthy of debate in the House to see whether we are managing to establish competition in the fuel business to ensure citizens are getting the best value...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: There is a challenge to small towns and villages right around the country from the closure over the last number of years of post offices. I draw the Government's attention to a development in France where the French postal service, La Poste, has arranged that postmen will not just deliver letters and parcels but will undertake to visit homes, particularly the homes of the elderly, to check gas meters and do other work not associated with the postal service traditionally. The concept is a very good one...