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 Penrose and I 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 discuss the following specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent attention – the need for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development to make a full statement on the latest information available to him about the suspected case of foot and mouth found in a sheep at Jenkinstown, County Louth; the steps being taken to determine the source of any possible outbreak; when it is expected that the results will be available from the laboratory at Pirbright and what other action the Government intends to take as a result of this incident. In view of the importance of the matter, I hope the Ceann Comhairle will agree to this 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.
In regard to the second topic, I received notices from Deputies Joe Higgins and Sargent. I now call Deputy Joe Higgins to state the matter.
(Dublin West): I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of crucial public importance – the proposal by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to crush an important plank of local democracy by taking from the elected members of local authorities and giving to city and county managers the power to make waste management plans, including building incinerators, to compensate for the abject failure of this Government to introduce a policy of reduction of waste at source and major reuse and recycling programmes.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to address the plans by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to abolish aspects of local democracy in order to impose hazardous and expensive incinerators around Ireland and to hear the views of local communities in Ireland as well as in New Zealand, Canada and Australia on zero waste strategies for waste management.
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 motions.