Before the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of related notices under Standing Order 31 from Deputies Spring, Gay Mitchell and De Rossa. I will call Deputies in the order in which they submitted their requests.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
In accordance with Standing Order 31 I move the Adjournment of the Dáil on a matter of national importance, namely, the implications for the conduct of the State's foreign policy arising from the dispute between the Minister for Foreign Affairs and senior officials in his Department.
I wish to give notice of a motion under Standing Order 31 to seek the Adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following matter of urgent public concern: to seek an explanation from the Minister for Foreign Affairs as to why established procedures for the appointment of diplomats have been bypassed, giving rise to an unprecedented public row between the Minister and his own senior diplomats at a time when major issues are at crucial stages of negotiation; to seek an explanation from the Minister why the Secretary General of his Department has had to write to him seeking a meeting on this matter given that they are both located in the same building on St. Stephen's Green; and why so many officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs have been posted and reassigned without their consent, giving rise to widespread unrest, all of which has been brought about without due cause or explanation.
I request leave to move the Adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following specific matter of public interest, namely, the crisis in the Department of Foreign Affairs arising from the decision of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Andrews, to depart from the accepted procedures in the appointment of certain staff, the consequent reported breakdown in the relationship between the Minister and some of the most senior officials in the Department, and the consequences of these developments for the Department and its work at a time when it has a crucial role to play in the peace process in Northern Ireland and the further development of the European Union.
Having considered the matters fully, I do not consider them to be contemplated by Standing Order 31. Therefore, I cannot grant leave to move the motions.
The Taoiseach asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come in today——
I have ruled the matter out of order, and I insist on order in the proceedings. I wish to dispose of the matters on the Order of Business first and the matter can be raised during the day using other procedures.
The Minister wants to make a statement.
I will allow a brief comment on this matter from the three Deputies during the Order of Business.