I join colleagues in wishing the Cathaoirleach a very happy and peaceful Christmas. I take the opportunity to thank him and all the wonderful staff of the House. We are all united in complimenting all the members of staff with whom we interact. We receive nothing but courtesy, co-operation and assistance from those at every level in the organisation. We should be very proud of the staff who work here in Leinster House.

It has been a fantastic year for Seanad Éireann. We have engaged in some wonderful debates and there have been some very interesting and, at times, robust exchanges. The public consultation sessions were most informative, helpful and innovative. The country made good progress during 2012. We have steadied the ship of state and achieved modest growth in respect of both the economy and employment. As previous speakers stated, we ended the year on a high note in the context of the negotiations relating to fishing quotas. I compliment the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, in this regard and echo the words of praise directed towards the Marine Institute which has its headquarters in Galway and the CEO of which is Mr. Peter Heffernan. The work done by the institute ensured that we obtained the very best possible outcome from the negotiations. The Minister was very gracious when he paid tribute to those at the institute this morning.

I am of the view that 2013 is going to be a wonderful year. We will have an opportunity to build on the positive things that happened during 2012. When Ireland assumes the Presidency of the European Union, it will be operating on the international stage. We will also have the opportunity to make significant economic progress in 2013. I urge all colleagues to remain safe on the roads during the Christmas period. In addition, all of us should keep an eye on vulnerable people during the holiday season. We should also think of those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

I extend my best wishes for Christmas to colleagues and everyone associated with the House. Senator O'Keeffe referred to the meetings of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, which were held in the Chamber, as one of the highlights of our work programme for the year. Those meetings were very effective. I do not know what sort of permission would be required - perhaps it would have to come from the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP, or the Cathaoirleach - but in view of the fact that the Seanad has shown itself to be the ideal forum for public consultation, I request that the Joint Committee on Health and Children be advised that the very important public hearings due to be held on 8, 9 and 10 January, inclusive, in respect of the abortion issue should be held here. There will be a massive amount of interest in those hearings, not just among members of the public but also among Oireachtas Members and they should take place in the Seanad Chamber rather than in the committee rooms. As everyone is aware, a maximum of 15 to 20 Members can be present and contribute at meetings held in the committee rooms. A significantly higher number of Deputies and Senators will wish to be involved in the hearings that are due to be held.

There is a procedure whereby an application can be made to the CPP in respect of the use of the Chamber.

Would a request in that regard have to come to us or could we be proactive and-----

A request should be made to the CPP.

Therefore, the Joint Committee on Health and Children should submit a request to the CPP.

A request will have to be made to the CPP.

Perhaps the Leader will advise me on this matter. The joint committee has not yet made a decision on where the meetings in question should take place.

The joint committee can submit a request to the CPP for the use of the Seanad Chamber. However, there is no CPP meeting scheduled to be held before the middle of January.

Will the Leader confirm that should a request be made, the CPP will have the capacity to consider it? This Chamber would be ideal in the context of encouraging a calm debate. All Members who wish to contribute could be present and could involve themselves in that debate. A committee room would not be the most suitable venue for such a truly important engagement.