Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of related notices of motion under Standing Order 31 from Deputies Gay Mitchell and Neville. I call the Deputies in the order in which they submitted notices to my office. I call Deputy Gay Mitchell to state the matter of which he has given notice.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate matters of national importance, namely, the abject failure of the Government, particularly the Minister for Health and Children, to tackle the crisis in health services which has resulted in a frightening catalogue of incidents in casualty departments, as revealed at the AGM of the Irish Nurses Organisation; the 12% increase in waiting lists since June 1997 and the cancellation of urgent medical procedures due to staff shortages.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the crisis in the health services as highlighted by the Irish Nurses Organisation's survey which revealed an appalling litany of failures, including the failure to properly look after patients in hospitals, patients being left on trolleys and housed overnight in unsuitable rooms, delays in accessing casualty departments and the failure of the Government, particularly the Minister for Health and Children, to bring forward meaningful proposals to tackle the problems I have mentioned.
Having considered the matters fully, the Ceann Comhairle does not consider them to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and, therefore, cannot grant leave to move the motion.