Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Leader. I join with him in thanking Bridget Doody and all the staff in the Seanad Office. I thank Martin Groves for his great work and wish him a happy, long and successful retirement. I thank all the Senators for their courtesy to everybody on the Seanad team. We do not always agree but we always agree that the part we play in democracy is important in terms of scrutinising legislation. Holding Government and the institutions of the State to account is an important part of democracy and that is part of what we do. The people who make that happen are those who help out and keep the lights on and the cameras rolling; people who have to work long hours. We are looked after with great courtesy by all the staff and we thank them for that.