Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in wishing the Cathaoirleach, Leas-Chathaoirleach and all the Members of the House a very happy, peaceful and healthy Christmas. I also join in the words of thanks to the hard-working staff of this House. We have had a highly productive year. Much very significant legislation went through the House and we had many late sittings. The staff of the House gave exemplary service under the leadership of the Clerk of the Seanad, Deirdre, and all the backup team. I will not risk leaving somebody out by mentioning all the names but compliment the ushers and all the staff throughout the House who make life easy for us all and ensure that when we have visitors to the House, they are well looked after.

I welcome Deputy Barry to the Visitors Gallery today along with all the students from around the country, including the Deputy's daughter, Fiona. I know there are students from Garbally College in Ballinasloe due in shortly.

It has been a difficult few weeks for many people whose businesses, homes and farms have been flooded. Our thoughts are with them. I pay tribute to all those who helped out during this crisis, including local authority staff, the Red Cross, the Army, and all the communities that came together. I welcome the fact the Government has made available quite an amount of aid to assist business and home owners. The one message we want to get out today is that towns such as Ballinasloe, Athlone and Bandon are all open for business. I call on people to give as much business and support as they can in the remaining week before Christmas to the towns worst impacted by the flooding.

I urge everybody to be very careful on the roads over Christmas and to ensure no family is visited with a road tragedy as a result of over-use of alcohol. I wish everyone a happy Christmas agus, mar a deir Seanadóir eile, go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo arís.