Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Labour Party group I wish everyone well and thank the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Chathaoirleach and all the staff in the Seanad Office, especially Deirdre Lane, the Clerk of the Seanad, for all the work and help they have given us over the years, and I wish them the very best for the future. I thank the Leader, Senator Cummins, with whom it has been a pleasure to work. I thank Orla Murray and the staff in the Leader’s office. I wish all colleagues well and good luck to those running in the general election and in the Seanad election. It has been a momentous term and there will be a momentous few weeks ahead as we face into the general election on 26 February.

Like others, I pay tribute in particular to Senator Feargal Quinn, who is retiring after 23 years here. As a fellow university Senator he has been tremendously helpful to, and supportive of, me and the other university Senators. He has been a pleasure and a joy to work with. He is a model for us in terms of his activity and immense contribution to the Seanad over those years. I thank him for his time and public service.

I am glad that while business is wound up in the Dáil we will have important business here on what is effectively the last sitting day of this session. The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Bill 2012, which is a very important penal reform measure long promised by successive governments. It is great to see it being delivered today. I am glad we will finish that and the Energy Bill 2016. We will have proper legislative business in this House as befits the tradition of the Seanad on our last sitting day. I wish everyone well and look forward to the debate today.