Staff thanks
The Leader was briefly interrupted, then resumed by thanking Oireachtas staff and other Members for their work and courtesy during the year.
Sometimes they turn it into better English; other times it is not possible to take mangled syntax and make it read better. They do tremendous work.
I thank all other staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas for the tremendous work they do, including those in the Bills Office, the Journal Office and the Library and Research Service, as well as the catering staff and those who work in the bar. If I have forgotten anybody, I apologise. It does not take just one person to run the Houses of the Oireachtas but a wide group of people.
I thank the other 59 Members of the Seanad for their courtesy, good humour and willingness to engage and park adversity. I wish all of them and their families a very peaceful, tranquil and joyful Christmas. I thank, in particular, the party and group leaders and Whips, with whom I deal every week, for their professionalism, courtesy and friendship. It has been a very productive term. We have been very engaged, although one would not think so listening to some members of the commentariat, but that is okay. It is their prerogative. I wish all Senators a good break and hope we will see each other in the new year.