David Norris (Independent)

I join in the general good wishes of my colleagues. There used to be a radio programme on the BBC where people were fined for repetition so I will not repeat all the good wishes to the members of staff but from my heart I join in them, and I hope they know that.

I have been a Member of this House for a quarter of a century and I have enjoyed every moment of it. I believe I can say with some small degree of authority, simply because of the number of years I have been here, that the three named officers of Seanad Éireann are quite the best we have had in that quarter of a century. The Cathaoirleach, whom I have watched with admiration as Leas-Cathaorleach, the Leader of the House, Senator Cummins, and the leader of Fianna Fáil, Senator O'Brien, are outstanding people, as is the leader of Sinn Féin and the new and welcome Independent Group. As I said at the beginning of this session, it showed remarkable vision on the part of the Taoiseach to nominate such genuinely independent people who have made the most forceful contribution from that section of the House that I can remember.

I am glad the Order of Business today will not be divisive; I take it that means we will not have a vote. I very much welcome that. I would hate to miss a vote for I am determined to attend the Royal Irish Academy to be present when Professor William Schabas is presented with the gold medal of the RIAC. This is a man who has added enormously to our understanding of human rights, both nationally and internationally, through his work in University College Galway.

I wish to make two other points. On a sombre note, it is clear from the words of world leaders in recent days that we are, if we are not careful, on the brink of a world economic collapse. Things are very difficult and for that reason I echo what Senator Mooney said about caring for the homeless. That should be a major priority.

Over many years in this House I spoke out against upward only rent reviews. It is madness. The main international retailers are pulling out of our high streets because of that, and it is being fought by investment funds. Are they mad? Do they not realise that if they drive people out of business they will get no rents at all? Those people should live in the real world.

It was with great sadness I heard reports today of the difficulties in which Clerys department store finds itself. This is an iconic store and an iconic building. It was one of the first purpose built department stores in the world and I hope, as a Dubliner and a northsider, that when people are shopping they will think of Clearys, Arnotts and such stores and the employment they provide.

I welcome the arrests that have been made in the tragic case of Daniel McAnaspie. As the person who introduced the guardian ad litem clause into the child care Bill a number of years ago, I would regret if this should be used as camouflage to prevent the family of DanielMcAnaspie getting access to papers. That was not the intention. The intention, and I speak as the person who authored that amendment, was to safeguard the rights and the welfare of children and not to prevent the families having an opportunity, particularly in a sad case of murder, representing the best interests of the child. I suppose happy Christmas is the final comment I should make.