Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I offered my thanks to the staff and everybody else yesterday but the Leader was not present. I wish to take this opportunity to thank him. It is not easy to be the Leader of the House, try to reach consensus and keep everything moving. In particular, I thank Ms Orla Murray and the other support staff in his office. It is not an easy job. Senators always get on with each other. In spite of what those watching these proceedings may think, we are pragmatists and need to get our work done.

Yesterday, I quoted Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. As I was leaving the Chamber, several people asked me to identify the quote. It is important and I will repeat it. We are richly blessed and honoured to be able to walk in the gates of our Parliament and represent the people we represent locally, nationally or internationally. It is a great honour and privilege to so do. As one who walks into the Chamber every day, I am particularly pleased to be in this job, as are all Senators. We are blessed and enriched by our time here. I again quote Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, "Reflect upon your present blessings - of which every[one] ... has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all [of us] ... have some."