Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish them a very peaceful and joyful Christmas. They are the unsung heroes of this Upper House. I thank the men and women who work in the Oireachtas, in particular the men and women who record and tape us, and turn our microphones on and who make us look much better than what we are sometimes. I thank them for their unstinting professionalism and their ability to work very late in the night without ever grumbling and complaining. May they all have a very positive and happy Christmas.

I thank the ushers, the catering staff and the people who work in the Bills Office, the Library and Research Service and in particular the Captain and acting Superintendent, John Flaherty, for his courtesy. I thank the members of my staff, Orla Murray in particular for her tremendous work in the Leader's office. I thank in particular the Members of the House and their staff for their co-operation and courtesy. Even at times when the going gets a bit difficult, we always manage to smile and an ability to walk away and to have a deoch or a conversation that is not about politics.

I was struck by the fact that this is the last meeting of the Seanad of this decade and perhaps of this Oireachtas. We may not be back.