Séamus 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 will call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance and concern, namely, the need for the Government to make addressing the jobs crisis a priority by supporting the plans to create 120,000 new jobs as a result of the recommendations of the innovation taskforce, and to support the introduction of bonus CAO points for mathematics and science in the leaving certificate while at the same time developing education and skills for the vast majority of people. I call for an end to all of the talk about jobs and for us to focus on supporting people with new ideas and sensible plans for job creation as a matter of urgency.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I wish to seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the need for the Taoiseach and Minister for Finance to explain to the people the reason they are paying the chairperson of the NAMA credit committee €150,000 per annum for a three day week, and the reason the chairperson of the NAMA board is being paid €170,000 per annum, particularly at a time when the Government is cutting the salaries of nurses, schoolteachers, gardaí and other hard-working public servants.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Hear, hear.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Is their critical work not at least as important as that of NAMA? Why, at the time when pay cuts for public sector workers were announced, did the salaries of the chairperson and board members of NAMA increase substantially? Within weeks, the salary of the chairperson rose from €100,000 per annum to €170,000 per annum. The increase for the board members was from €38,000 per annum to €50,000 per annum, all within weeks of being appointed. The Minister should try explaining that to hard-working public servants whose wages are being and have been slashed on foot of budget 2010. I hope we will have a debate on that very important matter.

James 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 and local importance, namely, the latest cuts to Bus Éireann services that will be a huge blow to rural areas, which already lack a viable transport infrastructure. It is probably the worst in Europe. The total withdrawal of the Galway-Athlone service and the curtailment of 18 other services, including the Mullingar-Ballivor-Dubin service, which has been cut by 50%, will leave many customers without essential transport. The cutbacks will also result in 250 redundancies.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the failure of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to pay money due under REPS 4, as promised before Christmas; the fact that the failure to fill the position of district superintendent in Kerry has meant the process of assessing applications has been slowed down; and the need to make the payments to farmers immediately and ensure the vacant position is filled.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Once again, I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the continuing recruitment embargo by the HSE, which is affecting services and putting lives at risk. It is affecting day-care services for elderly people who sacrificed so much for this country and contributed so much thereto. They are now losing their very much-needed care. In my area, 50 elderly people lost day-care services provided by Plunkett Home in Boyle due to this embarrassing embargo. I call on the Minister for Health and Children to show some compassion and flexibility with a view to addressing the recruitment ban from her foreign office in New Zealand and to reflect on the plight of the elderly on St. Patrick's Day from so far away.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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Having considered the matters raised, I do not believe they are in order under Standing Order 32.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Minister is to be in New Zealand for two weeks and 50 people are out of work.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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On a point of order-----

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Two weeks first class. Mighty mouth-----

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Generally speaking, the Ceann Comhairle is a very reasonable person, but I am after raising a matter whereby a wage increase of 70% has been granted at a time when public sector workers are having their wages cut-----

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy will have to find an alternative way of raising that.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Surely some time can be put aside to debate that matter.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)
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If the Deputy comes forward with a reasonable alternative proposal, we will consider it. We must move on. The Deputy had a good airing, a good innings, this morning.