Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I wish to be associated with the words of thanks to the Cathaoirleach, to the Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Acting Chairmen who have conducted the business of the House. I particularly extend thanks to the Leader and to Eamonn McCormack.

It is important to recognise that we end this session with 11 Seanad Bills still sitting on the Dáil Order Paper. There has been quite a revolution in the Seanad in the past few years whereby it is now common to introduce Bills here, particularly greenfield legislation. Ministers appreciate that and it has become an established practice. This would not have happened without the extraordinary work of the Clerk of the Seanad, the Clerk Assistant of the Seanad and the staff, who are undermanned and need support. Behind the scenes the Bills Office staff work hard to ensure efficiency.

I support Senator Brian Hayes's points about opening up to other influences, particularly of a European nature, which has been a developing feature of our work. We need to examine the possibility of some form of question and answer session with Ministers in this House.

We all appreciate the break from the business of the Chamber but it is important to recognise, as I hope members of the media will, that, in the words of a former Fine Gael Deputy many years ago, while the talkshop might be closed the workshop continues.

It would be helpful for the Government or the parties to consider a better way of structuring the year. It is unnecessary to close the Houses of the Oireachtas for several months at a time. It would be better to meet in semesters, with times set aside for committees, rather than have a long break in the summer which is always used as a stick with which to beat us.