During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: Last night I attended a meeting in Athlone organised by employers in order to learn what facilities exist and what efforts are being made by the Government to help create employment. I was very impressed by these efforts and the number of programmes the State supports, such as Springboard and JobBridge, to help people find work...

During the second stage Seanad debate on the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) 2012, I said: I am delighted to see the Bill and what it is based upon. It seems to me that the Minister has grabbed hold of a vast opportunity here. I know something about generics through my grocery business. In the 1980s a French company called Carrefour introduced produits libres which people were excited about it. My company could not get over the price difference between products that were branded, advertised and promoted and the produits libres products wrapped in plain black and white packaging...

During a Seanad Motion on Presidential Nominations, I said: welcome this debate and I am delighted that Senators Norris and Barrett tabled this motion for discussion. While it is not of immediate importance at this stage — and hopefully it will be seven years before we have another presidential election — we are pleased to have President Michael D. Higgins in office. I am sure the matter is worthy of discussion at this point because there is plenty of time to do so...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: I add my voice to the compliments to the Leader for his words yesterday. It is necessary to respond to the Taoiseach, whom I also wish to compliment. It is seldom somebody has come here to speak for as long as he did without notes from the civil servants behind him. He spoke off the cuff after our debate. I thank the Leader for arranging the debate...

During a Seanad debate on developments in the European Union and Ireland's Presidency of the European Council, I said: yesterday, I met a leprechaun who gave me a pot of gold and five wishes for the Irish Presidency. The first wish, reputation, was mentioned by the Taoiseach in his opening statement. I have been involved in European affairs in Brussels for the past years. When we started we were highly regarded but our reputation has since become tarnished. It is interesting to see how our reputation has improved again in recent times...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: I support what Senator Daly said about organ transplantation. A Private Members’ Bill on the matter was adjourned. I am amazed that we are going ahead without any discussion of the issue. We have looked for the opportunity to discuss it yet new legislation on organ transplants is being imposed without this opportunity for discussion.

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: Last week there was a settlement of a price-fixing anti-trust action in the United States. It was the largest ever settlement of its kind, at €6.6 billion, and it involved MasterCard and Visa. The end result is that credit card costs should come down quite dramatically in the United States. Exactly the same issue arose here a few months ago in the case of European cross-border transactions...

During a Seanad debate on the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011, I said: I welcome the Minister. Senator Tom Sheahan referred to the Minister’s enthusiasm. He also referred to the small man which I saw Minister bristle at as I tend to do. I have found a wonderful way to grow taller, that is, to switch to metric. I used to be only 5 ft. something, I am now 166 cm...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: Senator Susan O’Keeffe drew attention to the major investment by some of the companies associated with the milk sector, and these were mentioned today and in the past week or two. The reason for the significant investment in the next couple of years is the removal of the milk quota in two years time...

During the Order of Business in the Seanad, I said: I was impressed to read this morning that the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, has taken responsibility for attempting to save somewhere between €50 million and €70 million in the purchasing of various goods by different agencies and Departments..