Tom Shehan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We do have a constituency and I live in my constituency. I am contacted by people from throughout the country, but I live in my constituency. However, when people come seeking help, where is a Senator supposed to meet with those people? The day of politicians meeting people in pubs and carparks is gone. Let us be honest about this. No Member of this House is a Senator on a part-time basis. As such, we should be provided with a workspace for the Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays on which we continue to do our business as Senators. I am speaking for myself, but I am sure the same applies to colleagues. On the basis of a quick headcount, I estimate that of the 60 Members of this House, perhaps fewer than ten are able to access their offices in Leinster House on Monday, Friday or Saturday.

My personal assistant has a stack load of work for every Minister and every Department. These are queries and issues raised by people from all over the State. As I said, the whole country is my constituency. Senators should have access to a workspace to do our business when we are not in Leinster House.