Brendan Ryan (Labour)

One enjoys it but also one realises that one can have an influence on events. It is only those who ignore this House who do not notice the degree to which legislation changes. They do not recognise the degree to which sensible Ministers of all parties — no party has a monopoly in this regard — are prepared to listen to an argument, change their minds and have their thinking influenced. Ministers get a tougher time in Seanad Éireann than any journalist could ever give them. A journalist's interview will last ten minutes and a Minister will survive it easily. If an issue arises in this Chamber, the Minister must sit here as long as Members wish, particularly on Committee Stage.

I compliment the Leader and, if I may say without her jumping at me, her predecessor for the——