John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

They deserve significant credit for that. Their work should be recognised because they do a difficult job extremely well. Every single one of them shows unfailing courtesy.

I would also like to mention the Editor of Debates and the people who report the debates. Some of us can remember when it took almost a month for the proceedings of this House to emerge, but they are now available to everybody on the Internet within a short period of time.

The message we can take from what I have said relates to the availability of democracy to a wider audience. It is good that our debates are available on the Internet. It is good that the ushers bring visitors through the Houses to allow as many people as possible see how we work in here.

I would like to conclude by mentioning that while the summer recess is about to begin, that does not mean we are going on holidays. The Curtin committee, for example, will meet in July and August. It is right and correct that its ongoing business will be conducted in private and will not be reported. A great deal of the work that will be done in the Oireachtas over the next few months will receive no attention, even though it is part of what we are paid for doing. We do not complain about it, but it is important to recognise that it takes place.