Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of related notices under Standing Order 31 from Deputies Stagg, Sargent, Yates and Joe Higgins. I propose to call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil Under Standing Order 31.
I request leave to move the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent public interest: the serious escalation of official and unofficial industrial disputes within the CIE Group which has now left virtually the entire country without a public transport system and, in view of the serious inconvenience caused for commuters and the damage and disruption to business and commerce, the need for the Government to take action to secure the reopening of talks between the trade unions and management with a view to securing a negotiated settlement to the disputes.
I request that Dáil Éireann be suspended under Standing Order 31 to allow the Government an opportunity in this House, rather than by way of press release, to radically overhaul its inadequate approach to mobility in public transport given the chaos which now grips the country in the transport sector and the resulting distress for everyone affected, including the company which is being blackmailed by the Government in refusing further investment.
I seek the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the urgent matter of the suspension of virtually all public transport services today, including Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, DART and other rail services, involving unofficial and secondary picketing resulting in 400,000 commuters being unable to avail of services; the need for the Government to provide adequate contingency arrangements so that essential travel will be facilitated, and the failure to date of the Government to intervene either by way of industrial resolution or the provision of alternative transport arrangements.
(Dublin West): I seek the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent national importance: the failure of the Government to address endemic low pay in Dublin Bus; the reliance on a low pay regime to subsidise public transport in Dublin as well as nationally, and the failure of the Government to provide adequate subsidies to resolve these problems and the consequent nationwide strike in public transport.
I consider the matter to be one contemplated by the Standing Order and accordingly to be in order. As Deputy Stagg's motion was received first I propose to take his motion. I ask the Deputies who support his request to rise.
More than 12 Deputies rose.
I grant leave to move the motion. In accordance with Standing Order 31 it shall be taken at 7 p.m. or at such other time as the Dáil may appoint.