Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a request under Standing Order 31 from Deputy Martin. I call on Deputy Martin to state the matter of which he has given notice.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
I seek the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss an issue of major public importance, namely, the urgent need for the Minister for Education to intervene in the situation at the Advanced College of Technology in Merrion Square with a view to providing State funding and assistance to ensure the 500 students currently attending the college will be in a position to complete their courses, particularly given the personal sacrifices made by many of the students to secure a place in the college in the first instance. I call on the Minister for Education to urgently introduce legislation to provide for financial bonding in all private third level colleges.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
Having considered the matter fully, it is not considered to be one contemplated by Standing Order 31 and therefore leave cannot be granted to move the motion.
On a point of order, when a request under Standing Order 31 is ruled out we normally do not take the matter any further, but 537 students in the Advanced College of Technology have paid up to £6,000 for their education for this year. It is unfair of any system, admittedly we are talking about the private sector, to leave these students in this terrible predicament. There must be some mechanism whereby we can raise this matter. We tried to raise it today under Standing Order 31 and by way of a Private Notice Question. I ask the Tánaiste, with the Ministers for Education and Finance, to devise some method of either transferring these students to other colleges or discussing with them how they can be assisted to finish their education. The end of the academic year is only weeks away and it is totally unjustified to leave them in this terrible dilemma when they have spent such large amounts of money.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
This matter is ongoing. It was raised on the Adjournment last week. The Minister stated clearly in the House on 27 February that she has no responsibility to the Dáil in relation to the Advanced College of Technology. Therefore, in accordance with Standing Orders and precedence, questions raised in this regard must be disallowed.
A Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
We cannot debate the matter now.
I do not wish to debate it and I accept the Minister for Education must follow precedence — that is the reason I am raising the matter in this way. I acknowledge these students are in a dilemma with the private sector, not the State, but we are talking about their education. They have paid unbelievable amounts in fees — one student who met some of my colleagues paid up to £6,000 while many others paid £3,000. Some bonding arrangement must be put in place. Over the years the Government intervened to save a coffee shop and we tried to nationalise a towel factory. These students just want to finish the remaining part of their education. I plead with the Government to devise some method to help these people.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
I must move on to the Order of Business.
On a point of order——
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
I am sorry, Deputy, I cannot dwell on this matter any longer.