Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Order of Business is No. 1, motion regarding the arrangements for the sitting of the House on Friday, 18 December, to be taken on the conclusion of the Order of Business, without debate; No. 2, motion regarding the report of the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 1, without debate; No. 3, motion regarding the exempted development regulations, back from committee, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 2, without debate; No. 4, Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 – Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, to be taken at 12.45 p.m. and to adjourn no later than 2.15 p.m., with the time allocated for Second Stage to group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes and to 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 to be brought to a conclusion no 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 and for those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, with the Minister to be called on to reply for five minutes no later than 4 p.m; No. 6, Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2008 - amendments from Dáil Éireann and Fifth Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 5 and to be brought to a conclusion at no later than 5 p.m. by one question that shall be put from the Chair; and, No. 7, Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2015 - amendments from Dáil Éireann and Fifth Stage, to be taken on the conclusion of No. 6.As the Leader has 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 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 Clerk Assistant of the Seanad and all the staff of the Seanad Office. I thank them for their outstanding work over 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. The complexion of this House will probably change dramatically so 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 I 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.