Dáil debates

Thursday, 17 December 2009

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32

 

Photo of Séamus KirkSéamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 32. I propose to deal with these topics separately and I will call on Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.

Photo of Seymour CrawfordSeymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise an urgent matter of local and national importance, namely, the fact that more Garda personnel need to be made available in the Border region in light of the serious crime being carried out at present. Recently, two ATM machines were taken out of the walls in Cootehill on the one night. Only a few months earlier, this happened to the ATM of one of the banks in the town. Efforts have been made to take out the ATM machines in Clones and Smithborough. The local co-op store's safe was also stolen and the same thing is happening along the Border in counties Armagh, Tyrone and Fermanagh. It is vital that the group responsible be apprehended and dealt with; otherwise, the money may be used for subversive activities at a major cost to the nation. This issue is urgent and must be dealt with. The PSNI and Garda are working together very closely.

Photo of Martin FerrisMartin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to debate the fact that participants on community employment schemes are having their wages cut by 5.5% in comparison to those in receipt of the jobseeker's allowance in the same age group, whose cut is to be 4.1%; the fact that this makes a mockery of the Government's claim that it is encouraging people to retrain and seek new employment; and the fact that it will represent a significant drop in income for people who are already struggling to make ends meet.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the fact that despite the havoc and destruction of property that resulted from the recent flooding, especially in Athlone, south Longford and other parts of the midlands, the Government is dragging its feet when it comes to parting with the funding for victims. Less than 5% of the €10 million earmarked for flood relief has been paid out and farmers, businessmen and private householders are in urgent need of assistance.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Ba mhaith liom an Dáil a chur ar athló chun déileáil le ceist rí-thábhachtach, namely, the urgent need for the Government to reverse the illogical decision to close many community drugs projects, CDPs, among them the Vista CDP in Donore Avenue, the Matt Talbot project in Ballyfermot, the Links project in Cherry Orchard, the Ballyfermot Traveller action project, the Crumlin CDP, Blaney Blades in Castleblayney and Mulhuddart CDP, which is to close at the end of the year. Coupled with recent cuts in funding to RAPID, cuts by the Department of Education and Science with a promise to close fully in 2010 Peer Education, Familyscope, the family resource centre, James's Street, Mater Dei Early Focus project, Basin Lane, the 62% reduction in funding to tackle educational disadvantage, cuts to community employment and job initiative schemes and the cuts in social welfare, the cuts to CDPs will exacerbate the problems of many of the people who previously availed of these local services, in addition to communities who have been striving to regenerate and address major societal issues in areas designated as severely disadvantaged. There is a need for a more realistic appeals timeframe to ensure these groups can survive and deliver the services required in the areas in which they work.

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I wish to seek the adjournment of the Dáil to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the need to protect and safeguard vulnerable adults from abuse by the introduction of local and national multi-agency policies and guidelines in co-operation with the Garda, HSE, voluntary bodies and training bodies to provide intervention, protection and the best possible outcomes for vulnerable adults at all times.

Photo of Séamus KirkSéamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Having considered the matters raised, I do not consider them to be in order under Standing Order 32.