Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

On behalf of the Fine Gael group I wish the Cathaoirleach and his staff who have toiled in the vineyard over the past number of weeks an enjoyable break. As the Leader said, all of the committees are sitting in July and September and a lot of work will take place in that time. I put on record the appreciation of the Fine Gael group for the work of the Cathaoirleach and the work of the Clerk of the Seanad, the Clerk Assistant of the Seanad and their staff, particularly in the past two weeks when extensive amendments had to be made to Bills. It is to the credit of this House that we were able to discuss amendments that were unable to be discussed in the other House. We have played a significant role in ensuring that those debates took place in a calm and reflective way.

I also put on record our thanks to the Leader and her staff, particularly Eamonn McCormack, for the way the office is run and for the fact that we are always kept informed of developments.

Some new developments took place in this session which were very worthwhile. In particular the debate we had with colleagues from the European Parliament was very important from a parliamentary point of view. There needs to be more such debates.

I wish all sides an enjoyable break. The last time the Government went away for a summer its members reinvented themselves as socialists. I am not sure what is going to happen in Inchydoney this September.