Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of notices under Sanding Order 31 dealing with three different topics. I propose to deal with these three 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 Sargent and I now call on him to state the matter.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
Under Standing Order 31 I wish to raise the following matter of urgent public importance, namely, that the Dáil be adjourned to discuss the abject failure of this Government to make any impact on the runaway growth in Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions, and the urgent need to implement legally binding targets for a reduction in greenhouse gases.
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 motion.
In regard to the second topic, I received notice from Deputy Jim Higgins. I now call on Deputy Higgins to state the matter.
(Mayo): I seek the adjournment of the Dáil today under Standing Order 31 to debate the following matter requiring urgent consideration, namely, the ongoing rail dispute which yesterday caused havoc for 100,000 rail commuters in the east; the similar disruption today to commuter, industrial and tourism interests in the south and west; the total abdication of responsibility by the Minister for Public Enterprise by not attempting to seek a solution; and the need for the Taoiseach to intervene to avoid further chaos.
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 third topic, I received notice from Deputy Connaughton and I now call on him to state the matter.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise the important matter of the Government decision of yesterday not to pay a top-up forestry grant to 12,000 farmers who were led to believe their grant aid would receive parity with growers who got approval under the new EU forestry grant aid scheme introduced last year; if the Taoiseach and the Government are aware that this decision will erode confidence in afforestation, particularly for farm forestry; that the national target for afforest ation is unlikely to be met; and, given the importance of forestry both to the environment and for the optimum utilisation of thousands of acres of land, if the Government will reconsider its ill-judged decision.
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.