Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I had not intended to speak as I hoped to take the opportunity to do so when the Seanad meets again. In case we are not back together as a group, however, I take this opportunity to thank everyone for their co-operation with me as a Senator. I love being a Senator and reflecting the views of the people in a democracy and of the councillors who put me here. I am pleased to have helped in any way I could in the Seanad and if I clashed with anyone, it was only in the moment. When the clash was over, we were back to being great friends again. That is what I love about our Parliament. There is no animosity or continuity of ill feeling, which is very important to me as an elected representative and a parliamentary colleague. I have always behaved as a colleague.

I take the opportunity to thank the Leader and her deputy, Senator Dardis, for his co-operation on the many occasions on which I had to work with him, especially at the Joint Committee on European Affairs. It was a pleasure to work closely with the Senator when issues arose. I thank Senator Brian Hayes who I knew in another chamber and wish him well in his endeavours.

I wish everybody well in their endeavours to be re-elected. All of us want to come back because we love what we do. We would not be here unless we loved it. We are natural politicians. I wish the public at large would respect us for the work we do and the time we put into it. Such respect is not reflected by the media which should praise us for the work we do rather than to adopt the current sinister approach to the portrayal of our lives. All of us do a very good job as politicians which I wish to see continued in the next Seanad.

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach, Ms Deirdre Lane and Ms Jody Blake for their co-operation over the years. I hope I am back to work with them in the next Seanad. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.