Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

Like everyone else, I join in sending best wishes for the coming holidays, Christmas and the new year. I thank the Cathaoirleach, the Leader, Senator Maurice Cummins and my colleague from Kerry, Senator Paul Coghlan, for their courtesy. No doubt Senator Coghlan and I will have more debates on NAMA in the new year. I also thank my party leader in the Seanad, Senator Darragh O'Brien, and our Whip, Senator Diarmuid Wilson. Being an Opposition Whip is not an easy job when one is beaten 2:1 but I know our day will come and some bright and breezy day we will get you. You can mark my words on that.

To all Independent Senators and new Senators it is quite daunting to come here and try to find one's way not only physically around the building as Senator O'Keeffe pointed out, but also to find one's way through the procedure maze. Deirdre, Jody and all the staff have quite a job minding us and keeping us in line. We we return in 2012 I am sure our finest hour is yet to come. When the arguments are made for and against the retention or abolition of the House, Members will articulate not only why it should be retained, but also why it, like the other House, needs to be reformed so all the people can be better served by their elected public officials.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that No. 12 be taken as the first item of business. This is to introduce, by leave of the House, a Bill on the Order Paper.