Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am going to interrupt the Senator in a minute. I can tell him that. I acknowledge the contributions made by the Deputy Leader and the Leader of the Opposition and by all leaders and Whips.

Everyone has mentioned Senator Quinn. I would like to recall something that happened when I was a young man. Senator Quinn may not recall this because it was not today or yesterday. I was sitting at a lunch table in Dundalk with Senator Quinn and some of our mutual friends. A guy came in at approximately 1.15 p.m. and said "Feargal, you are not going to be pleased with what I have to say to you". I did not know what he was about to say. I recall what he said and I recall Senator Quinn's response. This guy said that a major competitor was coming to Dundalk. I will not name the company concerned.I will never forget the business head the Senator had then. He said to the man that his wish was that the competitor would occupy the shop right next door to him, Lipton's. The man asked why and Senator Quinn said it was because he would have the bargains and the competitor the footfall, but that he, the Senator, would gain from it. I never forgot that. I know of shops that have objected to competitors arriving, but Senator Quinn welcomed it. I agree with one of my Seanad colleagues who said we do not have enough business heads in both Houses of this establishment. Well done to Senator Quinn. He has contributed to politics in the same way as he contributed to business in Dundalk and other parts of the country.

Many Senators have already traversed the country four and five times. I have done it only once. Senators, including any Fianna Fáil councillors who come to the Cooley Peninsula, will be hit by the telephone and Internet reception. On Monday of this week, I witnessed a councillor taking a call on a mobile phone with his head out the kitchen window to get a reception. The Internet and telephone receptions on the Cooley Peninsula are practically non-existent. We will be hit by this.