Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of related notices under Standing Order 30 from Deputies Trevor Sargent and Liz O'Donnell. I propose to call the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices. I call first on Deputy Sargent.
Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 30.
I wish to seek the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 30 in the light of the shooting of a journalist and the questions raised by the Brink's Allied robbery, given that the need for sccurity in Border areas has lessened following the paramilitary ceasefires and the fact that gardaí ought to be available to counteract criminal activity in other areas of the State. I call on the Dáil to put together proposals to redeploy gardaí and increase Garda intelligence and presence so that money, property and freedom of speech can be adequately protected.
I wish to seek the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 30 for the purpose of considering a specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent consideration, namely, the escalation of serious crime in the Dublin region, including the largest cash robbery in the history of the State culminating in the shooting last night of a journalist investigating that case, and to inquire what special or emergency measures the Government is undertaking to effectively tackle this problem.
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.
Would the Taoiseach like to avail of the opportunity to correct what he told this House last Wednesday when he said, in response to my comments that the armed robbery last week was known to the Garda in advance, that they had alerted certain vulnerable people and asked them to take precautions? The Taoiseach described those comments as alarmist. I ask him to use this opportunity——
The Deputy will have an opportunity to deal with that matter tonight during Private Members' Time.
I am merely asking if the Taoiseach will use this opportunity to correct the record.
I must move on now to the Order of Business proper.
It is significant if the Taoiseach does not correct the record.
I am sorry, Deputy Harney. I must move on to the Order of Business.
Surely the Taoiseach will not leave an incorrect statement on the record of this House. He was inaccurate last week when he described my comments as alarmist. The comments I made were accurate as subsequent events have shown.
As I have said, the Deputy will have an opportunity to raise that during Private Members' Business tonight.
I will not have an opportunity to speak this evening.
I must now move on to the Order of Business. I have called the Taoiseach.
I must insist that the Taoiseach takes the opportunity to correct the record and I will be very disappointed if he does not do so.
The remarks I made last week were accurate. The Garda were not given any specific warning about a raid on the premises in question. That is what I said last week.
Nobody is suggesting they were.
(Interruptions.)
I cannot allow a debate on this matter now. The Taoiseach has taken the opportunity, as suggested——
Members in this House should be sparing in accusations they make which impugn the honour and veracity of other Members.
Will the Taoiseach accept that the House was not given the full story last week?
On a point of order——
Order, please.