Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a num ber of requests to move the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 from Deputies Quinn 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.
In accordance with the terms of Standing Order 31, I wish to give notice of my intention on the Order of Business today to seek to move the Adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent attention: the serious implications for the judicial and political systems of the decision of the Circuit Criminal Court to postpone indefinitely a case involving serious criminal charges against the former Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, arising from irresponsible and ill-judged comments made by the Tánaiste, Deputy Harney; the need for the law officers of the State to examine possible legal options now open to secure an early trial of these matters; and the need for the Government to outline what steps it intends to take to undo the damage the Tánaiste's comments has caused.
(Dublin West): Under Standing Order 31, I seek the Adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following matter of urgent public importance: the implications of the judgment in the Circuit Criminal Court by Judge Haugh that court proceedings against former Taoiseach, Mr. Charles Haughey, should be stayed indefinitely because of public attacks on his character and reputation and specifically whether this ruling means that any public figure against whom allegations of corruption are made in a tribunal established by Dáil Éireann may now avoid trial by jury on charges arising from the subject matter of such tribunals, as a result of discussion on related subjects in Dáil Éireann or in the media.
Having considered the matters fully, the Ceann Comhairle does not consider them to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and, therefore, I cannot grant leave to move the motions.