Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31 dealing with two different topics. I propose to deal with these two topics separately and will call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices. In regard to the first topic, notice has been received from Deputy Máire Geoghegan-Quinn on whom I now call to state the matter of which she has given notice.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
I wish to seek the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following urgent and important matter: how the Blood Transfusion Service Board withheld information from up to 40 hepatitis C victims for two years, despite the fact that hepatitis C is lifethreatening condition; the implications of this for the ad hoc hepatitis C compensation tribunal which is continuing to sit; and the urgent necessity for an explanation by the Minister for Health of the continuing cover-up in relation to hepatitis C.
The matter, having been fully considered, is not considered to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and, therefore, leave cannot be granted to move the motion.
If the death of women is not a matter that can be considered serious and urgent, particularly when that death is being caused by the poisoning of their system by a State agency under the aegis of the Minister for Health, will you please explain what is an urgent and serious matter?
This matter is being dealt with by way of statements tomorrow concluding with a question and answer session and the motion setting up the tribunal of inquiry will be debated on Thursday.
The matter is urgent.
I now call on Deputy Séamus Brennan to raise the matter of which he has given notice.
I wish to seek the Adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following urgent matter: the immediate necessity for the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications to meet the CIE unions to defuse the current industrial unrest; the need for an explanation from the Government of the conflict between statements made by the Minister, Deputy Lowry, and Minister of State, Deputy Stagg, in relation to the CIE cuts; the shabby treatment of workers and what plans the Government has to prevent the grinding to a halt of public transport.
The matter, having been fully considered, is not considered to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and, therefore, leave cannot be granted to move the motion.