Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to clarify the date of return of the Seanad. What we have seen in the House again this week is legislation being rushed through; there has been no change in the way business is done, which is what the public is demanding - it is demanding reform. Yet again critical banking legislation, aspects of which, as we all know, are needed and about elements of which there are deep concerns, was rushed through the House in one day; adequate time was not provided to debate it. It is not good enough. I advise the Government that it is not a good enough way to do business in this House. I want it to reconsider how it will do business when the Seanad returns. What we saw this week was unacceptable.

The legislation we will deal with later is important, as it will impact on people's lives. The social welfare legislation we put through the House this week will have serious implications for those who are struggling to pay bills and get through the Christmas period and worrying if they will have enough money to repay the mortgage and meet basic bills. In terms of heating bills, fuel poverty is a critical issue this winter, one about which we must be extremely sensitive.

We are meeting on a day when the country's creditworthiness has been downgraded once again, but we see some hope in the exports sector. Clearly, people must have hope. We should focus on job creation in the new year. Creating jobs is critical and can make a huge difference to people's lives. If we can create jobs and provide access to training and education, people will have hope. I ask the Leader to ensure that, from early in the new year when the House meets, this will be a key focus for debate and discussion and in response to Ministers. We must not spare any effort to create jobs to give people hope because hope is very important and we can all play a part.

I refer to yesterday's important judgment from the European Court of Human Rights which will require the most careful consideration. The manner in which the debate on this judgment is conducted is critical because this is about women's lives and we must be sure we debate it in an extremely respectful and dignified way that does not add further stress to people in very difficult situations.

I thank the staff of the House and the Cathaoirleach, the Captain of the Guard and his staff, for their support to us in our work. It has been a very difficult year for the people of Ireland. The work of the House has been very demanding because of the crucial decisions for the country. We arrive at the end of the year where the country is in a very difficult situation and it has been effectively bankrupted by the decisions of this Government. It is time for a new Government and a general election. I conclude by thanking all the staff for their support.