Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

Peace has broken out. There is quiet acquiescence on this side of the House as regards the Christmas break. We have all certainly earned a couple of weeks' rest and I join Deputy Ó Cuív and the Tánaiste in wishing everyone a happy Christmas. I hope they will enjoy the break and time at home with their families. I also thank staff, the ushers and everyone else associated with this institution, who make our jobs easier to do. The late Brian Lenihan has been mentioned and I am sure this Christmas he and his family will be in all our thoughts. We will go away, have our Christmas break and return in January when I look forward to the resumption of normal play.

See this speech in context