Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I join the Leader and Senator Mooney in wishing everyone a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year. I thank all the staff, particularly Deirdre and Jody, the ushers and those who keep Leinster House running so smoothly and who make it such a pleasant place in which to work for everything they do.

Like Senator Mooney, I extend best wishes to the leaders of the various groups and to all other Members. I thank the Leader, Senator Cummins, for the unflappability he has demonstrated during the past year. Much like the Cathaoirleach, the Leader is extremely calm under pressure. In the seven and a half months or so since the 24th Seanad came into being, he has really tried to run the House much more smoothly and efficiently. He has also tried to ensure that it operates with greater effectiveness and in a more democratic fashion. There have been tremendous highlights in that regard, and a number of changes introduced in respect of the procedures of the Seanad have greatly improved the way it operates. The Leader referred to the addresses delivered here by Dr. Maurice Manning and Mrs. Mary Robinson. My particular highlights for this year centre, however, on the process relating to the Seanad Public Consultation Committee and the presentations made to that committee by many different NGOs and advocacy groups in respect of the rights of older people. I was particularly taken by the presentations from two experts who came before us to discuss the rights of older people. The process to which I refer is really the start of something very important the Seanad can do in the context of making a meaningful contribution to changing Irish life for the better. I look forward to the committee's report being published in the new year.

I thank the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach for all they have done in ensuring that the Seanad runs so smoothly. I look forward very much to the new year when Members will, I believe, return to the House rejuvenated and refreshed. Senator Mooney expressed a wish that those in the media should focus on the Seanad. I suspect they will do so in the new year——