Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This has given the Seanad a real opportunity to influence debate and legislative provisions, which is more than can be said for previous Governments. I have had every Minister and Minister of State here on numerous occasions to discuss matters which Members have highlighted as being of considerable national importance. Yet, on the majority of those occasions, only a small number of Members have been present in the Chamber to discuss the issues.