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Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Dec 2001

Vol. 168 No. 26

Appropriation Bill, 2001 [ Certified Money Bill ] : Motion for Earlier Signature.

I move:

That Pursuant to subsection 2º of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Appropriation Bill, 2001, on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to her.

Question put and agreed to.

When it is proposed to sit again?

It is proposed to adjourn sine die. First, I wish to say a few words of thanks to people for their work and co-operation during the year. This is, perhaps, an unusual year in that the Cathaoirleach and Senator Joe Doyle have said they are not seeking re-election and, indeed, those of us who are going forward again cannot be sure if we will be back. I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, and the Clerk, Assistant Clerk and staff of the Seanad Office, the ushers and all who have assisted in the work of the House. I thank my colleagues on the Government side, particularly the Leader of the House, Senator Donie Cassidy and the Whip and assistant Whip. I thank the leaders of all the Opposition groups and wish them well. I hope we will be back next year. I wish Senator Joe Doyle a long and happy retirement.

I join in the seasonal greetings and thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for the exemplary manner in which you have carried out your functions. There is a great spirit in this Chamber, much of which is attributable to your approach to the running of the House, with your great patience, your sense of humour and your ability to put people down painlessly when they deserve it. I thank the Clerk, the Assistant Clerk and all the staff for the very smooth way in which this House runs. I thank the ushers, the press corps, especially Jimmy Walsh for his coverage of the proceedings of the House, and those involved in "Oireachtas Report". I thank the Leader for his help during the year and his Whip, Senator Tom Fitzgerald, without whom the House would not run nearly as smoothly as it does. I thank the other groups on this side of the House for their co-operation.

I say a special word of thanks to my colleague, Senator Joe Doyle, who, as we know, will not be back in the House. Others of us may not be back either – that is a hazard of political life. Over the years, Senator Joe Doyle has won a special place of affection and respect from everybody and all parties in the House. This is his last time as shadow chancellor to deal with the Appropriation Bill in the House and I was concerned that his doughnut of support may not have been as effective as it might have been – more of his colleagues should have been present for his speech this evening. We wish him all the very best. I extend seasonal greetings to everyone and thank you, in particular, a Chathaoirligh.

I thank Senators for their very kind remarks and join with Senator Manning in wishing you, a Chathaoirligh, and the staff a very happy Christmas. On a personal note, I hope, over the Christmas period, that you and I will have something special to cheer about, a Chathaoirligh.

I join with other Senators in their good wishes to Senator Joe Doyle. I also extend best wishes of the season to you, a Chathaoirligh, and to all Members of the House. I thank all the staff of the Seanad very warmly, as well as the staff back in our offices, who work so hard behind the scenes. Please God, we will be back in the new year to experience more fun and games and the idiosyncratic ways of the Leader of the House.

I join in all the good wishes. I particularly wish a happy Christmas to you, a Chathaoirligh, and your family and also to the Leas-Chathaoirleach, the Clerk and Assistant Clerk of the Seanad, the leaders of all the groups in the House, the Whips and all who have helped in the smooth running of business here. I wish to be associated with the thanks to the staff of the House and to the press corps, including Jimmy Walsh. I thank Angie Mezzetti and all those in RTE who are involved in the "Oireachtas Report" programme. The people behind the cameras deserve the thanks of those who appear in front of the cameras. The recent installation of a new digital-based system in both Chambers and our four committee rooms was carried out without any interruption of service. That was a remarkable achievement. I wish to record our appreciation of the professionalism of the broadcasting unit which is now an important part of the fabric of parliamentary life.

I wish everybody a happy and holy Christmas and look forward to the coming year in which I hope there will be a place for all of us in the Oireachtas, in one way or another.

I add my good wishes to all Members and staff of the House for a very happy Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year.

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