Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I echo the comments of a number of colleagues on pay for our secretarial assistants. Michelle who works for me - she worked for me even prior to my being elected here - does the work of a parliamentary assistant. I second Senator Ruane's proposal that we look at bringing forward a cross-party motion and that we push it and make sure it happens, long before our term finishes.

Given the week that is in it, I ask eager shoppers to please shop local on Black Friday and in the run-up to Christmas.Green Friday Ireland is a movement to highlight the value of small businesses in local communities. Traditionally, Black Friday is a global day of mass consumerism, with large multinationals benefiting the most. Once again this year I am asking people to think before they click. People believe in supporting their communities. If you shop local, you are supporting local businesses. Google searches for "Black Friday in Ireland" have soared 138% on last year. As well as researching what to buy Irish shoppers are keen to shop local, with searches for “near me” increasing by 50%. When you go into a local shop, you are supporting the local producers, employment in the shop and the businesses and the services that they, in turn, spend their wages on. It is estimated that every €1 spent in Irish retail generates up to €250 in the economy. Anyone involved in a community group - whether it is in the GAA, a parents association, or a soccer club - knows that every year their local businesses support these groups with spot prizes, etc. This is something to remember. Amazon will not support your local football team when you are looking for a spot prize.