Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I wish to be associated with Senator Fitzgerald's words of appreciation to the staff of the House and to the Cathaoirleach, to the ushers and all the staff who help Members through the course of the year. However, unlike Senator Fitzgerald I find it quite optimistic that for the past then days there have been announcements on job creation every day and that there has been growth in the third quarter of the year and there may well be growth in the fourth quarter. We need to look positively at the new year and let us hope there is no more bad news.

I agree the House needs to discuss the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights. It is good that the constitutional position has been endorsed but it is regrettable that our Government has been too cowardly to deal with the outstanding issue which has been requested of it by the Supreme Court for quite some time now.