Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to raise a number of issues. First, I would like to join with colleagues in complimenting our colleague, Senator Seery Kearney, on her work on and dedication to the issue of surrogacy over the past number of months. I congratulate her. It was a great day for an awful lot of families. The fact that there is now certainty and light at the end of the tunnel is a great compliment. I say, "Well done" to the Senator.

In the lead-up to Christmas, Senator Conway raised business supports and local businesses. It is a time of year that we should encourage everybody to shop and support local. Many local businesses employ people locally. It is important, especially for the small retailers, that we go out and support them when buying presents for people. Many people shop online. I am not knocking the online offering, but local people support and employ local families and they, in turn, go back and spend the money in the economy. I encourage people to try to shop local. Especially in Limerick, we have so much of an offering in terms of crafts, from artists to "Made in Limerick" products. I encourage people to go out and shop local this Christmas.