Before coming to the Order of Business proper I propose to deal with a number of related notices under Standing Order 30 from Deputies Seán Barrett and Proinsias De Rossa. I propose to call the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office. I call first Deputy Seán Barrett to state the matter of which he has given notice to me.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 30.
I propose that the Dáil be adjourned under Standing Order 30 to discuss the imminent lay-off of 850 workers at TEAM Aer Lingus and the consequences of such lay-offs for large areas of north Dublin, Meath and elsewhere, and make a further call on the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications and the Minister for Enterprise and Employment to become personally involved to facilitate renewed negotiations on a settlement.
In accordance with Standing Order 30 I request leave to move the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the serious crisis facing TEAM Aer Lingus. In view of the plans by management to start laying off 850 workers from today, the increasing danger of the dispute spreading to Aer Lingus itself and the need for urgent Government intervention to secure a settlement to the crisis and in view of the importance of the company to the economy generally and to north Dublin in particular, I hope, a Cheann Comhairle you will agree to the request for this debate.
Having considered the matters fully I do not consider them to be contemplated by Standing Order 30 and therefore I cannot grant leave to move the motion.
On a point of order——
I fail to see how there can be a point or order on a positive statement made by me in respect of a submission under Standing Order 30. However, I will hear the Deputy.
I am of the view that Standing Order 30 is intended to deal with crises with which this House needs to deal and there is no doubt whatsoever that there is a crisis in TEAM Aer Lingus.
That is not a point of order but rather a challenge to the ruling of the Chair.
I am not challenging the ruling; I am simply pointing out that it is not tolerable——
That is sufficient, Deputy.
——that this House be denied the opportunity to discuss the crisis in TEAM Aer Lingus.
The House will be aware that this matter has been dealt with extensively by way of Private Notice Questions on three occasions in recent weeks, on 2 June, 16 June and yesterday, 21 June, and I cannot allow a rehash of that discussion. There are still procedures open to Members to follow up the matter.
You say you cannot allow a rehash of that discussion——
I am sorry, Deputy De Rossa——
A Cheann Comhairle——
I will not be challenged in my ruling or cross-examined by the Deputy.
It is not acceptable that this House be denied the opportunity to discuss this serious crisis.
I will not allow the Deputy to obstruct the business of this House.
It is a serious crisis and it is not proper that you should refer to efforts by this House to seek to have a proper debate on the matter as a rehash of a debate.
Deputy De Rossa should resume his seat forthwith.
The company is in crisis and we should be addressing it.