Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I heard that, Senator, but I have heard worse from that side of the House. It is also the first time I have spoken on such an occasion in a leadership position. I join my colleagues in paying tribute to the staff of the House, whom I annoy with late amendments and a capacity to delay proceedings. They have an incredible spirit of public service, a concept one should never dismiss. The staff who work in this House have a sense of public service in terms of their willingness to be flexible and helpful. I have never heard anybody, when I asked for something, say: "No, I cannot do that, it is not my job." I have always found the staff helpful. They will say: "I do not know, but I can tell you who does" and so forth, which is entirely different.

On my own behalf and that of my colleagues in the Labour Party, I wish everybody in the House a happy, peaceful and enjoyable Christmas. As my enjoyment of Christmas started spectacularly last night—