There was a sudden wake up in the Seanad on Tuesday when the Cathaoirleach Brian Mullooly announced: "I call Sister Ridge". He corrected himself and called Senator Ridge. "A Cathaoirleach," said FG's Therese Ridge, "my husband always said that a wonderful reverend mother was lost in me. I do not know why. He always said that if the nuns ran the country there would never be a deficit, a statement with which I agree." When later she was instructed to keep to matters relevant she replied that she thought the Cathaoirleach would have more respect for a nun. Later Senator Mick Lannigan called her Mother Ridge.