Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join in the good wishes to the Cathaoirleach, the Leader, all the staff in the Bills Office and the Seanad Office, the ushers and the people who serve us so splendidly throughout the year. I thank all the Senators, from the father of the House to its newest Member, Senator Cahill. We must wish the Members of the Seanad many happy returns, the appropriate greeting.

A Christmas Carolwas published this week back in 1843. There are some nice quotations from it: "it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself", and "there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour". I wish that to all the Senators.

I congratulate Arlene Foster, who has made an important step today towards becoming the first woman Prime Minister on the island of Ireland. This would bring in gender balance in that, in both jurisdictions, the top jobs would be held by one man and one woman. We wish Ms Foster, a native of near Lisnaskea and a graduate of Queen's, well as she advances her political career.

I welcome Janet Yellen's raising of interest rates in the United States. It is a welcome sign of a return to normality in economic policy in the western world. It is a step towards recovery from the abnormality with which this House has had to cope since 2007 or 2008 and gives optimism for the future. I thank everybody in this House and all those associated with it for the valuable work that has contributed to the betterment of the country again this year.