Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I notice many of the happy Christmas greetings are coming with something else in the package. I would also like to wish you, a Chathaoirligh, our excellent Deirdre, Jody and all the staff of the Seanad Office, and colleagues a very happy Christmas and the best for 2013. Hopefully, next year will be marked by robust debates. There are many serious issues for us to discuss and there will be times we have to disagree. Hopefully, we can disagree without being disagreeable.

One of the highlights for this year was the visit of the head of the Orange Order to the House. It was a positive occasion for the Seanad but also a contribution to the ongoing process of reconciliation on this island. It is sad that we need to keep a watchful eye on a continuous basis on issues in the North of Ireland. Will the Leader organise a debate for early in the new year on the situation in the North? There are many problems arising with flags, emblems, riots and so on. It would be appropriate that we would continue to discuss these issues and make the contribution we can on this important issue.

I noted Senator Bradford's point about the possibility of health committee hearings taking place in this Chamber. I believe we should be very open to that. Even if matters are more rushed than they ought to be, it is important there is a display of openness. It is much easier for people to attend hearings in a forum like the Seanad Chamber than in a committee room. If there were any requests to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, CPP, for this, it would not be acceptable that this could not be dealt with because the committee will not meet until the end of January.

I want to raise another issue, an issue on which I have been somewhat remiss in not raising sooner with the CPP. We are losing our way slightly to some of the rules and procedures of the House. It is a matter we should address in the new year. It is entirely proper that privilege would never be abused by the making of comments in this House-----