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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 4

Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.

Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a notice of motion under Standing Order 31 dealing with four different topics. I propose to deal with these topics separately and I will call Deputies in the order in which they submitted notices to my office.

(Mayo): I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter, namely the worsening foot and mouth disease epidemic in Britain, where 361 cases of the disease have been confirmed to date. The disastrous consequences for this country's tourism industry given that 3.5 million British tourists, more than 50% of our foreign visitors, travel to this country every year. The urgent need to re-appraise our tourism policy to see what can be done to salvage a £4 billion industry.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to require urgent consideration from the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation of the devastation being caused to the tourism industry by the ongoing and worsening crisis of foot and mouth disease in Britain, in particular the massive losses being incurred by hoteliers, guest house owners, bed and breakfast establishments, outdoor pursuits centres and many other sectors of the tourism industry. Taking into consideration that last year, 6 million visitors came to this country with 3.5 million coming from Britain and the majority visiting the west coast of Ireland, this verifies the enormous consequences that foot and mouth disease will continue to have on the tourism industry.

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 seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the important issue of the inability of children with special needs to sit the junior and leaving certificate examinations because of the ongoing ASTI dispute with the Government. Facilities to help children with physical disabilities, visual impairment and dyslexia, cannot be put in place until the Department of Education and Science has been made aware of their requirements.

(Dublin West): I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the failure of the Government to offer a just settlement in the teachers' dispute and the consequent difficulties for thousands of examination students as well as long-term damage to the State's education system.

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 seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance: the need to explain the Government's stated intention to the Supreme Court last Friday to appeal the award of £55,000 made in favour of Catherine Sinnott in the context of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister previously informing this House that High Court awards made in favour of Jamie and Kathryn Sinnott would be paid and a letter from the Chief State Solicitor's office dated 7 March 2001 to the Sinnott's solicitor stating that the Minister intends to discharge the award of damages made by Mr. Justice Barr in his judgment.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the need for an explanation from the Minister for Education and Science of the Government's decision to appeal to the Supreme Court the award of £55,000 made in favour of Kathryn Sinnott in the High Court in the light of previous statements by the Minister in the Dáil that all awards to Jamie Sinnott and his mother would be paid.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the stated intention of the Minister for Education and Science to the Supreme Court last Friday to appeal the award of £55,000 made in favour of Kathryn Sinnott in the context of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister previously informing the House that these costs would be met.

Having considered the matters fully, the Ceann Comhairle does not consider them to be ones contemplated by Standing Order 31. I cannot grant leave, therefore, to move the motions. I propose to deal with another notice of motion under Standing Order 31 from Deputy Gormley.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the statement by the European Commissioner, Margot Wallstrom, on the Irish Government's failure to identify sensitive areas and to provide for sewage treatment to the highest standards required resulting in this country's naming and shaming by the European Commission.

Having considered the matter fully, the Ceann Comhairle does not consider it to be one contemplated by Standing Order 31. I cannot grant leave, therefore, to move the motion.

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