Dan Boyle (Green Party)

As the mover of the Bill I thank the House and Members for their co-operation. As this is probably our last business in the Seanad before the new election, it is important that we have passed a Private Members' Bill and the House has been seen to act independently because questions about the future of the House will form the debate that centres around it. I am especially pleased that the House has co-operated on this important area on which their is valid public concern. It is the second such Private Members' Bill that I have had the opportunity of having passed in the House and I take some pride in that. There have been three such Bills in this Seanad. When measured against the normal parliamentary output of any chamber in any developed democracy that is something in which we can take collective pride. As we move forward in the future I thank those who have contributed not only to this Bill but to the life of the Seanad, the staff, the Cathaoirleach, representatives of the Government and successive Governments in this House. I hope when a Seanad reconvenes it will take value from the experience of not only this Seanad but the previous 22.