Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of 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 received notice from Deputy Quinn and I now call on him to state the matter.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the need for the Taoiseach to make a full statement on the circumstances of the resignation from office of Deputy Ned O'Keeffe, the former Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development with special responsibility for food, the need in particular for the Taoiseach to respond to claims made by Deputy O'Keeffe that the Taoiseach reneged on a deal made to transfer him to another Department, the allegations that members of the Taoiseach's staff may have exerted improper pressure on Deputy O'Keeffe, and the need for the Taoiseach to explain why the role of food quality within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development has now apparently been downgraded. Given the importance of the matter, I hope the Ceann Comhairle agrees to the request.
Having considered the matter fully, I do not consider it to be one contemplated by Standing Order 31, and therefore I cannot grant leave to move the motion.
I also propose to deal with a notice of motion under Standing Order 31 from Deputies Creed and Ulick Burke. I propose to call the Deputies in the order in which they submitted notices to my office.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the threatened resumption of the ASTI teachers' strike and the consequences for the leaving and junior certificate examinations.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the threatened resumption of the ASTI strike causing renewed uncertainty to the leaving and junior certificate examinations and the immediate threat to oral and practical examinations.
Having considered the matters fully, I do not consider them to be ones contemplated by Standing Order 31 and therefore I cannot grant leave to move the motion.