Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At the outset, I want to be associated with and thank the Ceann Comhairle for his words and his good advice. We are all heading off on what is a nine-week recess. It is true of all of us that we will still be working in our Departments, Cabinet will still be meeting and constituency offices will still be open.

Most Members of the House will take two or three weeks' annual leave and will work for the rest of the recess period. Everyone, incidentally, should take their annual leave. We only live once. This is not a dress rehearsal. It is right that Members continue to work throughout the recess but it is also entirely appropriate that they should take their annual leave and spend that time with their families and certainly not feel bad about that in any way.

We also join with the Ceann Comhairle in thanking the staff here in Leinster House and all of our colleagues, including members of the media, for all of their work over the past seven months. I believe I heard the Chief Whip say yesterday that 100 Bills have passed through this House since the Government was formed.

See this speech in context