Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, want to wish Tom Hickey the best of luck in his retirement. I wish him and his family all the best in the years ahead. We thank, and are very grateful for, the staff we have in Leinster House, including the Cathaoirleach and his staff, those in the Leader's office and all the staff around the House. Next week we finish up for Christmas and we are very grateful for what we have. When we see what is happening in the Middle East, we hug our children a little bit tighter. We look around and see that we are very grateful for the little eyes that look up to us and for the fact we live in a safe country. I think of the mammies and daddies who are living in absolute fear and who are losing their families and their homes. To me, it is out of hate and the suppression of people. Yes, there were wrongs done, but no child should be attacked or needlessly killed. No families, hospitals or schools should be targeted. Humanity is failing in the Middle East at the minute. My wish is that we all pray for families in Palestine and Israel, but mostly for those in Palestine, because they are being crucified. It is absolutely wrong and abhorrent.