Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

It may happen. If it is today, I will be glad to have spent the day in the Seanad with all of my colleagues.

Like others, I wish Members, staff, the Cathaoirleach, the Leader and Whips a very happy Christmas and thank the Leader of the Labour Party group, Senator Bacik, for her efforts and hard work this year. Like other speakers, I would like to draw attention to some of the good done by the Seanad this year, including establishment of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee. It is hoped that next year we will begin to make an impact through that process. There is much comment about the lack of attention paid to the Seanad. It is important we keep working and introducing new ideas and continually remind the media and others in the community that we are here and are working hard. I believe that those who attended the public consultation committees here know that we are reaching out to particular communities. We should continue to do so.

I thank the members of the media office who have assisted me in organising the Young Senators Competition which will take place soon, the winners of which - 60 young people - will be made Senators for a day and will attend in this House. I look forward to it. It is another innovation on the part of the Seanad.