Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I move:

That Dáil Éireann conscious of the many serious social and economic issues facing the country, including:

the most rapid rise in unemployment ever recorded with live register figures having again gone through the 200,000 barrier;

the deteriorating economic situation reflected in the most recent Exchequer figures;

the serious problems being created for hauliers, fishermen and others by the huge jump in the cost of diesel;

the danger of increased fuel poverty for low income families as a result of increased fuel and energy prices generally;

the continuing high level of inflation with the consumer price index hovering just below 5% and mounting evidence that Irish consumers are being ripped-off, particularly by the failure of Irish branches of British based multiples to pass on the benefits of the increase in the value of the euro;

the failure of the Government to introduce the promised legislation to place on a proper statutory basis the nursing home subvention scheme;

the disclosure that more than 40,000 primary school pupils are being taught in prefab buildings;

the continuing serious shortcomings in the health service and the ongoing cutbacks, particularly in regard to community health services; and

the most recent crime figures which show a particular increase in the number of public order and homicide offences;

believes that against the above backdrop it would be irresponsible for the Government to proceed with its intention to adjourn the House for the summer recess on 3 July when so many serious issues require attention;

resolves that Dáil Éireann shall adjourn for its summer recess not earlier than 24 July and shall return not later than early September;

calls on the Government to enter into negotiations with the Opposition parties with a view to securing agreement on a substantial increase in the number of sitting days by, in particular, reducing the duration of the summer and Christmas recesses.

I wish to share time with Deputies Burton, McManus and Ó Caoláin.

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