Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo the words of colleagues who expressed this week on the Order of Business the hope that we would see the early release of Mr. Ibrahim Halawa, the Irish citizen detained in Egypt. All of us share the hope that Mr. Halawa will be released and able to return home to Ireland to resume his studies at the earliest opportunity. I endorse what colleagues have said about that and expressed my concerns over the lengthy period for which he has been detained and the ridiculous number of adjournments we have seen in the Egyptian court process.

I welcome the historic climate change agreement reached in Paris at the weekend and the publication of the White Paper on energy seeking a carbon-free energy system for Ireland, produced by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White.

Given that this is the last Order of Business before the break, I join the Leader and others in wishing all colleagues in the House a happy Christmas, peaceful break and happy new year. I wish the Clerk and Clerk Assistant of the Seanad and all the staff in the Oireachtas, including the ushers and all the others who work so hard to make the place run smoothly, a happy Christmas also. This Christmas, in particular, I thank all the staff in the Bills Office. The Departments have been under such pressure drafting so much legislation this term. I extend good wishes to Ms Phil Donnelly, the usher who has made history by being the first woman appointed as a team leader of the ushers. Others have congratulated Phil earlier this week. I wish a happy Christmas to all and echo the words of Senator Paschal Mooney, "Go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo arís."