Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Next week I hope to be in Strasbourg for the Council of Europe meeting, so this is probably my last opportunity to speak in the House. I do not know anything more than anybody else about the election date but I very much appreciate the opportunity to thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Ceann Comhairle and previous Cinn Comhairlí for their courtesy, guidance and friendship over the years I have been here.

I also thank the constituents of Dublin South who elected me on four occasions. There has not been a single day that I have been in here that I have not been conscious of the incomparable privilege and honour it is to represent them here in our national Parliament. I offer best wishes my colleagues. None, apart from the Ceann Comhairle, knows what he or she will be doing in a month's time.

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