Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I extend my sympathies to Senator Dooley and to Deputy Farrell, and to any Member of the Houses and the staff. Many of us have lost loved ones over the Covid period. It has been a strange time. I hope that everyone gets a bit of time during the recess to have that time to themselves.

I thank all the staff in the Seanad who have assisted me and all of us. We have had a very heavy workload. It is a huge privilege to be one of the women of Seanad Éireann and to serve with such great women and men. It is a particular pride for me.From a housing perspective, we have made some very significant changes in the Seanad. These are changes which will serve generations into the future and which put the State at the forefront of leading on the delivery of housing. On home ownership, security and affordability, empowering our local authorities, using State-owned lands to build homes that are affordable and secure for people, this is work we can all be proud of.

I also commend our own Seanad party leader, Senator Chambers. It has been great to work with her, with our colleagues, with people from outside of our party from right across society and from experts in their field in the area of women’s health. The first women’s health policy to be produced by a political party was launched yesterday. I want to thank all those who attended and helped with the launch and preparation. Ms Corona Joyce, who works in the Fianna Fáil office, did a tremendous job. Our secretarial assistants, SAs, work tremendously hard also. We do not have an army of staff. Whether Fianna Fáil is considered a big or a small party depends on which poll one reads. All I can say is that I am very appreciative of everyone who helps me and I am sure every Senator is. We all benefit from support, both formal and informal. That is a great privilege for all of us to have and to be able to take the benefit from here.

Finally, as we go into the recess, we need to remember that Europe is at war, that Ukraine is under attack, and that we must all be very much committed to supporting that country.