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 I will call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office. In regard to the first topic, I have received notice from Deputy Martin. I now call on the Deputy to state the matter of which he has given notice to me.
Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
I wish to ask the Minister for Education the reason she has ignored the submission made by Cork Regional Technical College to be upgraded to the status of an institute of technology in view of the internationally high standards of excellence achieved by the college across a wide range of disciplines since its establishment; if she will award such a status to Cork Regional Technical College immediately; and if she will review the status of all third level institutions in the sector on a planned and rational basis.
Having considered the matter fully I do not consider it to be one contemplated by the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot grant leave to move the motion.
The Minister is to be congratulated.
The staff and students are on strike. This is an appalling situation.
In regard to the second topic I have received notice from Deputy Seamus Brennan. I now call on the Deputy to state the matter of which he has given notice to me.
I seek the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the enormous disruption caused to thousands of commuters by today's action by CIÉ workers; the plans of the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications to meet the unions, given CIÉ management's proposals for change in the company are now in disarray; and the urgent necessity for the Minister to address the Government's failure to bring forward clear policy initiatives and a stated development plan for CIÉ and the transport sector. I say this at the risk of the Minister calling me names.
Having considered the matter fully I do not consider it to be one contemplated by the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot grant leave to move the motion.