Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of notices of motions under Standing Order 30. I observe that the notices given by Deputies John Bruton and Dick Spring relate to the same subject matter and I am calling the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to me. I now call on Deputy John Bruton to state the matter of which he has given notice to me.
Requests to Move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 30.
I wish to seek the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 30 to discuss the following specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent consideration: the fact that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has now indicated that he may have to pull down the shutters on the initiative he has taken to establish a framework for talks between the political parties in Northern Ireland. This requires urgent consideration as the initiative may be brought to an end at any time now. It is a matter of public importance in that the peaceful development of Ireland depends on finding a political solution to the problems now existing in Northern Ireland.
In accordance with Standing Order 30 I served notice this morning that I wish to raise the matter as follows: that this House views with extreme concern the possibility that the talks being conducted by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland may break down, and calls on the Governmment to facilitate a Dáil debate on the matter and to immediately make a full and comprehensive statement on the issues involved. I submit this to you, a Cheann Comhairle, because I believe it is a matter of very urgent public business. Before you give your decision, I would say that I view with alarm and concern the fact that there is a special meeting of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges today at the request of the Government Chief Whip to consider the possibility of changing Standing Order 30 procedure.
Having considered the matters fully I do not consider them to be contemplated by Standing Order 30. Therefore, I cannot grant leave to move the motions. I now call on Deputy Richard Bruton to state a matter of which he has given me notice under Standing Order 30.
I indicated yesterday that I would like, under Standing Order 30, to move the Adjournment of the Dáil today to discuss the urgent motion, namely, that Dáil Éireann allows health boards to operate temporary overdraft facilities pending a detailed reassessment by the Department of Health of the resources necessary to maintain existing levels of service in 1991 in order to prevent the cuts in services being proposed this week by health boards throughout the country, cuts being implemented and forced upon them by the shortfall of in excess of £20 million in their budgets for 1991 and which will, among other things, close badly needed hospital beds completely or for extended periods, close down residential places for the elderly and prevent any development in services where there are already long waiting lists, most notably in the area of mental handicap.
Having considered the request fully, I do not consider it to be one contemplated by Standing Order 30. Therefore, I cannot grant leave to move the motion.