At the outset, I express my gratitude to Martin, Bridget and all the staff for the great work they do and for their graciousness and courtesy at all times. I also thank the ushers of the House for how helpful they are to us as we do our work. I had the privilege of working closely with the staff of the House when I was Leas-Chathaoirleach and I can testify to their absolute professionalism and helpfulness. My colleague Senator Seery Kearney wanted to also express her gratitude to the staff of the House and just missed doing it, so she asked me to convey her thanks too.

We in this country should be very conscious that we have an unblemished democracy. We have a democracy where the secrecy of the ballot is sacrosanct. We have a very good working democracy. For that reason, it is a great jewel or pearl. Some of the things delineated by Senator Gavan and others emphasises that. I appeal, through this House, insofar as this gets coverage locally or nationally, for people to use that franchise in the coming weeks, engage with the issues and vote. We should be proud to have a democracy that does that.

Finally, I ask the Deputy Leader to impress on the caretaker Government, including the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, and the officials in their respective Departments - the permanent government - to keep the conflict in the Middle East centre stage as there is a change of Administration in America to see what we can do to end the genocide, bring peace and get a settlement. We are a small voice on the worldwide stage but we are an important voice morally and otherwise. It behoves us in the midst of what is appalling, vile and completely alien to the human condition – the murder that is going on there – to get it ended by any means or, at a minimum, to be a voice for it ending.

I, too, join all my colleagues in thanking Martin Groves and his staff for their professionalism and their support at times when we need it. I think we all echo that.

We are entering into an electoral cycle. I wish all my colleagues well as they go forward for election. Many of our colleagues have been hounded out of office by disinformation and misinformation and by the venom that is expressed on social media in this country. I ask candidates who are being hounded out of office or as they run for election to call out these cheats and tramps who would damage their reputation and to walk forward with pride. I have not met anyone in this House who I would not be proud to stand behind and stand beside, irrespective of their party allegiance. Most people I know in the Oireachtas are people who want the best for this country.

I ask the party members to impress on their party officials the need for a full-time Minister for defence and security services in the next Dáil. There is a wonderful article by Jackie King in the Business Post about Ireland needing to take defence seriously. I ask people to look at that.

I have been on about search and rescue for I do not know how many years. Yesterday I was advised that the helicopter that is flying around Ireland as the new contract helicopter does not have a working infrared camera on it and the mission control system has not been installed. The contractor has now contracted CHC to run for an additional month with a provision to run until June next year. It is not ready to start the contract. It has missed the start-up date and I understand it is in no position to start the transfer system. I ask that the Minister consider extending CHC until June next year and reappraising the capacity of the company that has been awarded the contract to actually fulfil it. I believe it is in serious trouble and there are serious industrial relations issues coming down the road.

I congratulate the Acting Chair on his elevation to the position of Cathaoirleach for today at least. Well done, Garret. He is one of very few people, including myself, who have done it occasionally. It is a nice privilege to get, particularly on the last day before the general election is called. However, as Senator McDowell pointed out, I remember being here two days before the count discussing Covid legislation the last time, so we may be back again to discuss some legislation. Whether there will be an Order of Business on that day, I am not sure. This will probably be the last Order of Business.

I thank Martin and his team for all their great work and all the support they provide us, particularly those of us who take the Chair. They are very helpful to have beside you. Equally, I thank those in the Cathaoirleach’s office, the Leader’s office and right across this building. I do not think people realise how much people in sections like the Bills Office have to do to put all the stuff together. I also thank the catering staff, the staff in the bar and my secretary, Sheena, and others who have helped us along the way. It is an enormous privilege to ever be here and it was a great privilege to get back.

Hopefully, I can do that again. Who knows? That is a matter for the electorate.

On the day that is in it, we should congratulate the new President of the United States. The result of the US election might not have been the one many in Ireland would have preferred but, as Senator Malcolm Byrne has stated, democracy is very precious. The US is a democracy and the American people have had their say. We wish the very best to those involved in Irish-American relations, with Donald Trump as President from next January.

I was at a presentation before the budget by the Irish Stock Exchange, known as Euronext Dublin. It was to highlight how equity capital markets can provide funding for Irish businesses. In the context of what may be happening globally in terms of FDI and so on, we need to ensure our indigenous companies have access to funding. I welcomed the budget decision to provide tax relief on IPO expenses and on exempting small companies from stamp duty. There is a funding review coming up and an opportunity to encourage Irish people who are willing to invest in equity markets to provide funding for small and medium-sized businesses in Ireland rather than leaving it on deposit. For those with an appetite for risk at a certain level, what I suggest is important. I would welcome further explorations of how we can allow Irish capital markets to provide funding for Irish companies.