Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I agree with the concept of having more emphasis on consumer watchdog activity so companies do not get free short-term advertising for something that they reverse when people are no longer aware of it. People living on the Border have been aware for some time about the price differential. While we like to wrap the flag around ourselves and be republican it is important to vote with our feet. That is the message for consumers in this report.

The Adjournment matter I have raised today for the Minister of State with responsibility for youth affairs relates to communications strategies here. I commend the initiative of the Oireachtas education programme going to schools and the activity last weekend of opening the Oireachtas for families to come to see what we do. Will the Leader inquire from the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, or maybe in the far off fields of Seanad reform, whether we can consider youth councils and Dáil na nÓg? We give them the potential to develop ideas, they come together to make reports which are published in nice colourful brochures yet how many of us see, read or react to them?

We are often criticised for travelling but last week I was at the Council of Europe with my colleague Senator Leyden and Senator Joe O'Toole.