Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of related 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 notices from Deputies Quinn, John Bruton and Joe Higgins. I call on Deputy Quinn to state the matter of which he gave notice.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
In accordance with the terms of Standing Order 31, I give notice of my intention on the Order of Business today, Tuesday, to seek to move the Adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent attention – the decision of the country's largest trade union, SIPTU, to suspend its participation in negotiations for a new national agreement, the implications of the move for the negotiations, the prospect of concluding a new agreement, and the urgent need of the Government to address the issues that have led to the SIPTU withdrawal.
An Leas Cheann Comhairle
I call Deputy John Bruton.
I seek to move that the Dáil adjourn under Standing Order 31 to allow us to discuss the crisis in social partnership arising from the reaction of the trade union movement and, in particular, of SIPTU to the deeply unfair budget that has been put before the House.
I call Deputy Joe Higgins.
(Dublin West): Under Standing Order 31 of Dáil Éireann, I seek leave to move the Adjournment of the Dáil on the following issue of urgent public importance, that is, the withdrawal of the State's biggest trade union, SIPTU, from talks with the Government and employers occasioned by the hurt, anger and outrage felt by low paid workers because of their treatment in the tax provisions in the budget.
Having considered the matters fully, I do not consider them to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and, therefore, I cannot grant leave to move the motion.
I suppose a recount is out of order.
With regard to the second topic, I received notice from Deputy McDowell and I call on him to state the matter of which he gave notice.
I seek to move the Adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following specific and important matter of public interest – the sudden collapse of the Government's proposal for the sale of ICC Bank and the urgent need for the Minister for Finance to clarify his proposals for the future of the bank.
Having considered the matter fully, I do not consider it to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and, therefore, I cannot grant leave to move the motion.