Ivana Bacik (Independent)

Usually the Senators who did not get in, speak after the leaders of the groups but I will leave that to the Leas-Chathaoirleach. On the last day of term, I join with Senator Darragh O'Brien in wishing everyone happy holidays. Although it feels a lot longer, I think we have only been sitting for ten weeks, just over two months. It has been such a busy and intense session that we all feel it has been a lot longer. In many of our cases, it was preceded by several elections.

In the period of time we have been sitting, we have already made progress on the reforms about which we have been speaking for so long. I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien that it is time for action. We have commenced action on real and effective reform of the Seanad. We have already seen with the address of the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Jerzy Buzek, to the House and the debate on agriculture and fisheries with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Simon Coveney, new models of debating issues here which are more meaningful and will lead to better outcomes for everyone, both Opposition and Government.

The House has passed, and will continue to do so today, a great deal of legislation, so it has been a very busy term from a range of perspectives. The Seanad Public Consultation Committee and our new rules on inviting distinguished guests to speak will also help to ensure the Seanad is a more effective place to be and the flag will continue to fly over Leinster House even when the Dáil is not sitting and it is just ourselves.

I thank the other leaders and colleagues in the Seanad for a very productive and fruitful term. I wish everyone well for the holiday period. I also wish them well for the forthcoming autumn term. In view of today's reports and dire warnings regarding the state of the US economy and in light of our own circumstances, I am of the view that in September we will be engaging in extensive debates on the economy, on pre-budget submissions and on the international economic context. Everyone will be pressing for such debates early in the new term.