Deputy Speaker and Speaker, we have come to the end of a rather tumultuous year, a year in which we had an election and, if I am not mistaken, of the 400 members in this House, 198 joined us for the first time in April this year. Basically, we have constituted a completely new Parliament for the first time after the election.
We have come to the end of this specific year, a year in which we experienced very interesting things. It is also appropriate, at this stage, to say thank you to all the relevant institutions and divisions of Parliament, be it the catering staff or the financial sector. To all the different divisions, the security people, from the FF Plus' point of view, thank you very much for everything you have done. We appreciate that, and we look forward to a very positive year when we return next year.
To all our colleagues in the different parties, thank you for your co- operation and for your friendship. We are all South Africans in the end, serving the people of our country, albeit from different communities. It makes no difference. We are all South Africans; we are trying to find a solution and a better future for our children.
Deputy Speaker, I would like to conclude with two specific issues, one positive and one not so positive - I would rather say, perhaps even negative, and I want to put them on the table. The first one, the positive thing, that I would like to conclude with is I think that for the last couple of years, the role of Parliament, in the way that I experienced it, was diminished in certain respects, but it has changed.
I want to thank the government in the sense that we are bringing back the relevance of Parliament. The fact that Ministers are coming to this podium to make statements on a regular basis and to inform Parliament first is a positive step to bring Parliament back to where it belongs. It should be done here, not outside to the press. You report to Parliament and the representatives of the people in the first instance, and I think that is very positive.
The second point, Deputy Speaker, is more negative, and I want to address the Speaker himself. Mr Speaker, you will know what it is all about. It is the question that remains outstanding, as far as we are concerned, of seating in this very House. [Interjections.] Mr Speaker, I am addressing you, not that hon member who thinks it is a joke.
Mr Speaker, we have been very patient. I am speaking on behalf of nine political parties who have been pushed to the back of this Chamber, parties that have been very patient in putting our case on the table and saying please address this issue. I am asking you, since it has not been addressed, to please do so. We do not want to come back next year with that matter still unresolved. I am asking you; let's sort it out once and for all.
I want to say to Members of Parliament have a beautiful Christmas, have a wonderful rest out there, and let's all come back refreshed next year. And, Mr Van der Merwe, even you are welcome here. In any case, we will still tolerate you next year. Thank you.