against the bank bailouts proposed by the Government, which later turned violent. In July 2013, he claimed that Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini were "good Christians" while speaking in the Seanad. On realising the absurd nature of his comments, he apologised to the chair and admitted he was distracted. He was a member of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland by virtue of inclusion on the "Minister's List". Prior to his inclusion on the RIAI register he was a member of the Irish Architects Society, the majority of whose members did not have formal qualifications for entry on the architect's register. He was the Fianna Fáil Seanad spokesperson on Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources. He retired from politics at the 2020 Seanad election. References External links 1945 births Living people Alumni of the University of Galway Fianna Fáil TDs Local councillors in County Roscommon Members of the 21st Dáil Members of the 22nd Dáil Members of the 23rd Dáil Members of the 24th Dáil Members of the 25th Dáil Members of the 26th Dáil Members of the 19th Seanad Members of the 22nd Seanad Members of the 23rd Seanad Members of the 24th Seanad Members of the 25th Seanad Ministers of State of the 23rd Dáil Ministers of State of the 25th Dáil Ministers of State of the 26th Dáil Nominated members of Seanad Éireann Fianna Fáil senators