Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a notice of motion under Standing Order 30 from Deputy John Bruton. I call on Deputy Bruton to state the matter of which he has given notice.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 30.
I request permission to debate a motion regretting the confusion caused by ministerial statements about EC aid and calling on the Government to submit a revised schedule for the timing of projects under the National Development Plan to the Comptroller and Auditor General for a value for money audit so that lasting benefits will be guaranteed to accrue to the Irish people for all investments made.
Having considered the matter fully I do not consider it to be one contemplated by the Standing Order and, accordingly, I cannot grant leave to move the motion.
What mechanism is available to allow for discussion on this matter? It should be debated in this House in some form.
I am surprised that the Deputy should make that statement because I advised the House yesterday on how to proceed. This is a wide issue——
Suitable for Government time.
——and was dealt with in extenso by way of questions to the Minister for Finance at Question Time on Tuesday. As I said yesterday, it can be dealt with again in this House by way of a formal motion. That is the proper way to deal with the matter.
I appreciate that you, Sir, are doing your best to be helpful to all sides on this matter. Nevertheless, we want Government time provided for a debate on this issue.
That is another matter and something the Whips might consider.
The Whips are considering it but the Government has not acceded to our request.
The Chair cannot get involved in that.