Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31. I will call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notice to my office. I call on Deputy Crawford to state his matter.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have withdrawn the notice.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I call on Deputy Gogarty.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would first like to wish the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform a speedy recovery from the case of foot and mouth disease that he displayed last night.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is well aware that he is only entitled to read out the notice submitted to the Office of the Ceann Comhairle.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I seek the adjournment of the House under Standing Order 31 to debate the following issue of national importance, namely, the general treatment of deportees by the State and, specifically and most urgently, the case of my constituent, Olunkunle Eluhanla, a student at Palmerstown community school, who was last week forced onto a flight to Nigeria while still in his school uniform, with less than three months to his leaving certificate examination and without any documentation. The Minister is not present today.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of national importance, namely, the urgent need for the Government to introduce maximum class size guidelines, which will ensure that average class sizes for children under nine years of age will be below the international best practice guidelines of 1:20, as promised in the programme for Government, and to ask the Minister for Education and Science to make a statement on the matter.

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a decision made by the Irish Medicines Board instructing the Mercy University Hospital, Cork, to suspend all clinical trial related activities for the treatment of childhood leukemia with effect from last Tuesday because consultants at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, are unwilling to sign a document outlining the hospital's responsibilities under a share care programme forwarded by the Mercy Hospital, Cork.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent concern, namely, the unacceptable fact that cutbacks in health services at Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, are forcing patients to travel to Newry in County Down to avail of basic services, such as accident and emergency treatment; the necessity to address this situation as a matter of urgency and the need for the Minister for Health and Children to explain how she proposes to do so. She is not having much success so far.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of local and national importance, namely, the unprecedented stand by consultants at Ennis General Hospital. Deeply frustrated over the lack of resources to provide a proper standard of treatment, the seven medical specialists insist that they cannot continue the unacceptable level of admissions of elective patients due to chronic overcrowding and poor working conditions. They are deeply disillusioned by the empty promises of this and the last Government and the former Minister during the general, European and local elections, when he committed €20.9 million for the upgrading of Ennis General Hospital. The abysmal failure of this Government to provide——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy——

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

——a proper health service for the people of Clare can no longer be tolerated.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I call Deputy Ó Snodaigh.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On a point of order, a Cheann Chomhairle, why did you not let me finish my contribution?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

You had concluded the statement submitted to my office.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It was wrong.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The statement approved by my office——

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On a point of order, a Cheann Comhairle.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

If the Deputy has a problem——

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is not what I submitted to your office.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

——I suggest he call to my office and I will be glad to discuss it with him. I call Deputy Ó Snodaigh.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will not resume my seat. That is not what I submitted to your office. I amended what I submitted to your office and I want to say what I submitted.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I ask the Deputy to resume his seat——

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will not resume my seat——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

——while the Chair is on his feet.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

——until you clarify what I submitted.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy, it is only appropriate to read the statement that is submitted and approved by my office.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is what I submitted to your office. Why did you not tell me earlier? That is what I submitted.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Sorry, Deputy.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A Cheann Comhairle, I will not resume my seat.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy, we cannot have a special rule for you and another for other Members.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Let him finish.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A Cheann Comhairle, this is taking advantage of the minorities in this House. I amended what I submitted to your office.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

All other Deputies accept the ruling of the Chair on this matter. Where the statement is too long, the Chair rules that it should be abbreviated——

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I amended it.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

——to comply with the Standing Order.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I did that.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

If the Deputy does not like the Standing Order, he should find a way of having it amended.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A Cheann Comhairle, I did what you asked but you did not allow me to finish my statement.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It appears to the Chair that the Deputy wishes to leave the House.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No, a Cheann Comhairle.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Then I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I amended what you asked me to amend but you did not allow me to finish. I amended the statement.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have the amendment.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have it too, as it was submitted. Here it is and you can see what I took out of it.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Let him finish, a Cheann Comhairle.

James Breen (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A Cheann Comhairle, this is not right. What I wished to say is that the abysmal failure of this Government to provide a proper health service for the people of Clare can no longer be tolerated. You would not let me finish it, a Cheann Comhairle, but now I have done so.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter which requires urgent consideration, namely, the need for the Government to immediately cease its ruthless policy of forceful mass deportation, which violates the prohibition on collective expulsions in Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights——

Johnny Brady (Meath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

You know a lot about that.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

——and upon which the Government suppressed debate by refusing Sinn Féin's demands for a full debate on the policy in this House in November 2003.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss an issue of urgent public importance, namely, the impending decision of the Government to approve a contract between Dublin City Council and Elsim Ireland Ltd. to design, build and operate an incinerator in Ringsend and the need for the Minister, Deputy McDowell, to reject this proposal in line with his election promises.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to ensure the Government clarifies reports that it has again sided with the genetically modified food industry to prevent Irish citizens and non-governmental organisations from exercising a legal right to invoke the Arhaus Convention regarding public participation in decision making on GMOs and to ascertain if the Government will instead support the European Environmental Bureau proposal of a new mandate to protect the rights of citizens in the face of pressure from the GMO food industry.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.