Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join the Leader and others in expressing condolences to our Army personnel and, in particular, to the family of Private Seán Rooney. It is very sad and even sadder coming up to Christmas. We hope the injured parties make a full recovery.

I want to use my time to pay tribute to the Cathaoirleach and the way he has chaired the Seanad. A lot of fantastic work was done and the Seanad is in a far stronger position than it was. I join in the thanks expressed to Martin Groves, Bridget Doody and the other staff. They are fantastic and I greatly appreciate the way they support and help us, especially when in the Chair.

The Leader has also been fantastic. I will always remember her role in the case of Robert Pether and his family and the effort she has made to try to get him freed. Unfortunately, Mr. Pether will spend another Christmas locked up in an horrific Iraqi jail. His family, who live in Elphin in County Roscommon, are devastated that, once again, another Christmas has come and their husband and dad is locked up. It is upsetting for Desree and the children.

Everybody wants Santy to come now. Senator Buttimer has already written to him looking for a new chair and I believe the Cathaoirleach will be looking for a smaller chair this time, which he will probably get. I too have written to Santa and all I want is a ticket to Senator Black's concert in Carrick-on-Shannon with her female friends. I would love that. I do not know what Senator Doherty has written to Santa for. She will still be a very busy lady but I am sure she will have more time for canvassing out in Fingal now.

I wish everybody a very happy Christmas. This is a fantastic Chamber. I was so devastated when I lost my Dáil seat but the Seanad has been a unique experience. We work well together as a group, which is fantastic. Even though we have political differences at times, we all have one thing in common - a desire to make Ireland a better place for everybody.