Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that. The point I am trying to make, and this is something we should all reflect on as we go away for the summer, is about the role of the Seanad. Most of us are proud to be in this House. Its role is to challenge the Government, to look at Government legislation as it works its way through, to initiate legislation and to bring topical matters of concern to the nation to this House. I found it particularly difficult to read the article on Sunday because I know how deeply committed the Leader is to her job and to the legislation. It is not an easy thing for a member of a party to stand up against legislation that is passing through the House.

I slagged off my colleague, Senator Ahearn, yesterday for representing County Tipperary. We all do it from time to time. Every day, Senators stand up in the Chamber to talk about their constituency. I do not have a constituency. I come from County Galway, live in Dublin and do not have a constituency, but I fully accept people do. I ask us to reflect over the summer on the vitally important role we have in challenging the Government.