Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Brennan's call for a debate with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resource, Deputy Rabbitte. If what he said is true, it is not ideal. I do not know what other people's experiences of the banks are but they do not seem to want to deal with individuals, which is a big problem. If we expect that people will get the service they currently get in the post offices in the banks, I do not think that will happen.

I pay tribute to the late Patrick Scott who passed away last Friday morning. Scott was defining figure in Irish art for more than 70 years and the timing of his death could not have been more poignant as it was on the eve of his retrospective exhibition in the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The exhibition is entitled Patrick Scott: Image Space Light and it is a testament to his extraordinary career, life and achievements as an artist. He will be sorely missed by all in the arts community and beyond. However, his legacy will live on with his wonderful work.

I concur with the comments on St. Patrick's Day.

It would be in a way negligent of the Government not to send representatives to countries from a tourism and trade point of view. Our Ministers represent us well when they are abroad. There is a perception that this is all done for fun but this is significantly hard work. I commend Senator Ó Murchú on his comments in this regard, with which I agree.