As this is the last Order of Business we will have in this session, I take the opportunity to extend every good wish to the Cathaoirleach and all staff and Members for the Christmas period. I hope all Senators will have a healthy and successful new year in their efforts to be re-elected to the House.

And a successful election.

That is very important.

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion re the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Friday, 18 December, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of the Order of Business; No. 2, motion re the report of the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of No. 1; No. 3, motion re Planning and Development (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2015, back from committee, to be taken without debate at the conclusion of No. 2; No. 4, Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and adjourned not later than 2.15 p.m., with the time allocated on Second Stage to group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and the contributions of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes; No. 5, Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2015 – all Stages, to be taken at 2.15 p.m. and brought to a conclusion not later than 4.15 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair and which shall, in relation to amendments, include only those set down or accepted by the Government, with the time allocated for the Second Stage contributions of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, the contributions of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes and the Minister to be called on to reply for five minutes not later than 4 p.m.; No. 6, Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 5 and brought to a conclusion not later than 5 p.m. by one question which shall be put from the Chair; and No. 7, Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2015 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] - Report and Final Stages, to be taken at the conclusion of No. 6.

As the Leader indicated, this is the final Order of Business of this term and year. The Government side will be glad to hear we will not oppose it this morning although, as with the Leader, I am not at all happy about the guillotining of debates on Bills. However, all sides of the House will welcome the Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill and would not in any way wish to inhibit its speedy passage and signing into law as a matter of urgency.

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I join the Leader in extending our warmest Christmas greetings to the Cathaoirleach and his family, the Leas-Chathaoirleach, the Clerk and the Clerk Assistant of the Seanad and all the staff of the Seanad Office. I thank them for their outstanding work in the past 12 months and the efficient and courteous manner in which they have gone about their business. The staff have been a great help to Senators in providing advice and responses to queries. I thank the ushers who have kept the House moving in their own quiet and efficient manner. This House would not function were it not for the way in which they go about their business. I wish them and their families a very happy Christmas. I extend the compliments of the season to Senators on all sides of the House and wish them and their families all the joys and blessings of the holy season. We are on the threshold of a new year, but it will be a new year with a difference in that there will be an election. As the complexion of this House will probably change dramatically, one can only speculate on the membership of the House this time next year. I extend best wishes to those Senators who are campaigning for re-election and hope they will be returned. As my late father always used to say, "Go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo arís." May we all be alive this time next year.