Thursday in County Monaghan is known as "standard day". The standard being referred to is The Northern Standard newspaper, which has been in circulation in County Monaghan since 1839 when it was founded by a gentleman by the name of Arthur Wellington Holmes. It is with great sadness that I bring the news to the House this morning that, after 186 years, next Thursday will be the last edition of The Northern Standard in County Monaghan. That will cause great sadness and regret to many households throughout the length and breadth of County Monaghan. It also had circulation in counties Cavan, Louth, Fermanagh, Armagh and Tyrone. The newspaper was bought by Patrick Smith and family back in 1971 and has been located in The Diamond in County Monaghan since that date. People looked forward to the The Northern Standard coming out on a Thursday because we got the news of the week, be that a report on a football match or a social gathering in Knockatallon or in Inishkeen or wherever. The Northern Standard had the photographs and the reports to match. I suppose it is a sign of our time that provincial newspapers are struggling to survive with the advent of online, but we are losing a great service. To all involved in The Northern Standard down through the years, to all the staff who reported the news to us weekly, and to all of those who contributed and who worked at The Northern Standard office for the past 186 years I say a big "thank you". To the current staff who are losing their jobs I sympathise with them now in the month of Christmas and I sincerely hope that all of them will find gainful employment elsewhere because they are all very good, trustworthy and honest individuals who have done great service to the county of Monaghan. Next week will be the newspaper's last week. If it is in order with the Cathaoirleach and with the Deputy Leader, I would be grateful if they would maybe drop a wee note to those in The Northern Standard to thank them on behalf of myself and all the citizens of County Monaghan.