Maurice Hayes (Independent)

I feel like a fish out of water today, having a licence neither to laugh nor cry about the election results. I congratulate those people who participated. As an ex-returning officer, I would like us all to pay tribute to the people who keep the machine going during elections and play an important role in that way.

I support Senator Brian Hayes's request for a calm debate on citizenship. After the referendum, this is something to which we should move quickly. This is a matter of particular interest in Northern Ireland. It is also important to begin to unstitch immigration from citizenship and asylum. We need and welcome these people. It is a labour force issue more than anything else.

I support the remarks about Carmichael House which does magnificent work for deserving and needy people. It would be tragic if for some reason it fell between the cracks of various Departments. I hope the Leader will be able to encourage people to pull together in that regard.