I extend my sympathies to Senator Dooley and to Deputy Farrell, and to any Member of the Houses and the staff. Many of us have lost loved ones over the Covid period. It has been a strange time. I hope that everyone gets a bit of time during the recess to have that time to themselves.

I thank all the staff in the Seanad who have assisted me and all of us. We have had a very heavy workload. It is a huge privilege to be one of the women of Seanad Éireann and to serve with such great women and men. It is a particular pride for me.

From a housing perspective, we have made some very significant changes in the Seanad. These are changes which will serve generations into the future and which put the State at the forefront of leading on the delivery of housing. On home ownership, security and affordability, empowering our local authorities, using State-owned lands to build homes that are affordable and secure for people, this is work we can all be proud of.

I also commend our own Seanad party leader, Senator Chambers. It has been great to work with her, with our colleagues, with people from outside of our party from right across society and from experts in their field in the area of women’s health. The first women’s health policy to be produced by a political party was launched yesterday. I want to thank all those who attended and helped with the launch and preparation. Ms Corona Joyce, who works in the Fianna Fáil office, did a tremendous job. Our secretarial assistants, SAs, work tremendously hard also. We do not have an army of staff. Whether Fianna Fáil is considered a big or a small party depends on which poll one reads. All I can say is that I am very appreciative of everyone who helps me and I am sure every Senator is. We all benefit from support, both formal and informal. That is a great privilege for all of us to have and to be able to take the benefit from here.

Finally, as we go into the recess, we need to remember that Europe is at war, that Ukraine is under attack, and that we must all be very much committed to supporting that country.

I will pick up on what Senator Craughwell said in talking about one’s own county. I will never apologise for talking about Tipperary. I also remind him that there are 167,000 people living in Tipperary and it is the lowest represented county in the country. It needs more voices. I assume at some point, when the commission is set up, that Tipperary will be seen as a very large county that needs more representation.

I acknowledge the vote of confidence in the Government yesterday, the resounding victory the Government received in that motion, and the mandate that it now has going forward through the summer and into the budget, which will be an important one for the people of Ireland. Rather than create division in the Lower House, it has united our party and, in fact, the three parties and our other supporters into the future to do what is right for the country.

It has also told us how certain people think, in particular Independent representatives. I was listening to Senator Ruane speaking about Independent voices. We are quite lucky in this Chamber that we have Independent voices with clear vision and leadership. Unfortunately, we do not have that in abundance in the other Chamber where we have Independent Deputies who go which way the wind blows and who are all things to everyone. The interesting thing about last night is that they had a decision to make as to whether they supported this Government or wanted a Sinn Féin government.

It is clear from last night that the people of Tipperary now know that Deputy Mattie McGrath wants a Sinn Féin government. Independent Deputies have for years been all things to everyone but last night they had to make a decision. People in Tipperary now know that a vote for Deputy Mattie McGrath is a vote for Sinn Féin. This is a welcome development in Tipperary because people need to know that. I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach.

I remind Members of this House that Members of the other House should not be referred to here, but we will move on. I call Senator Dolan to speak now, please.