Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I have received notice from Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill that, on the motion for the Adjournment of the House today, he proposes to raise the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to increase the agri-environment options scheme Natura payment from €75 to €150 per hectare and to ensure these payments issue.

I have also received notice from Senator Paschal Mooney of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for Education and Skills to make a statement regarding the threat of withdrawal of bus services from the Traveller community in County Leitrim, specifically from the Traveller site at Mohill to St. Manachan's primary school, and from the halting site at Summerhill, Carrick-on-Shannon, to St. Mary's boys school and the Marist school.

I have also received notice from Senator Deirdre Clune of the following matter:

The need for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to ensure an economic assessment is carried out to establish the potential of the Cork docklands area

I have also received notice from Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh of the following matter:

The need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline his and the Government's views on the current situation in Palestine and the need to put what pressure it can on the Israeli Government to allow the flotilla carrying humanitarian aid through to Gaza.

I have also received notice from Senator Thomas Byrne of the following matter:

The need for the Minister without Portfolio to outline the publication of the first progress report; the net savings under the Croke Park agreement, inclusive of redundancy payments and pension payments, to retiring civil and public service workers, which are not referred to in the first progress report; and the impact these costs will have on the implementation of the agreement and its need to deliver savings.

I regard the matters raised by Senators Ó Domhnaill, Mooney, Clune and Ó Clochartaigh as suitable for discussion on the Adjournment and they will be taken at the conclusion of business. I regret I have had to rule out of order the matter raised by Senator Byrne, as it is more suitable to a substantive motion.

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order, the Cathaoirleach has allowed an Adjournment debate proposed by Senator Ó Clochartaigh relating to Government policy on Palestine, which is very general, yet he will not allow me to raise a matter which specifically relates-----

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Senator Ó Clochartaigh's matter is more specific in that it deals with the Israeli Government and the Gaza flotilla. The Senator's matter is more appropriate to a substantive motion and I have ruled it is more appropriate to statements or Private Members' business. I have ruled on that and the Senator should not-----

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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There is no motion. I have asked for the Minister to come to the House essentially to discuss an article in a newspaper last weekend.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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It is a substantive matter and, as the Senator will be well aware, Adjournment debates are only for four minutes.

Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)
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I am just looking for a figure. The Government last week presented figures and then we found out they were not the real figures. I want the Minister to come to the House to discuss that.

Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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Adjournment debates are only for four minutes. I have ruled on the issue. The Senator's matter is more appropriate to a Private Members' motion.