Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31 dealing with three different topics. I propose to deal with these topics separately and I will call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office. In regard of the first topic I have received notice from Deputies Jim Higgins, Stagg and Owen and I call on Deputy Jim Higgins to state the matter.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
(Mayo): I seek the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the future of Aer Lingus and the indications from the Minister for Public Enterprise that she is contemplating auctioning off the company in a trade sale; the consequences for the national interest of the sale of the national carrier and for the 6,000 Aer Lingus employees whose welfare is threatened by such a move.
I seek the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the serious consequences for our national carrier of the reported decision of the Government to sell Aer Lingus in a trade sale; the need for the Minister for Public Enterprise to clarify her proposals and sit down with management and unions to work out an acceptable future course for the airline which will guarantee the strategic position of Aer Lingus as our national carrier. In view of the importance of the matter I hope the Leas-Ceann Comhairle will agree to my request.
I seek the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the Government's proposals regarding the sale of the national airline, Aer Lingus, noting that there has been no discussion in the Oireachtas on the current Government proposals and that up to very recently the Taoiseach maintained the Government's plans were for the flotation of Aer Lingus; the current proposals by the Minister for Public Enterprise which have caused huge uncertainty to the future of the airline and its thousands of staff here and abroad.
Having considered the matter fully, I do not consider it to be contemplated by Standing Order 31, therefore, I cannot grant leave to move motion.
In regard to the second topic I have received notice from Deputies Quinn, Jim O'Keeffe, Noonan, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Joe Higgins.
I seek the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the rejection of the constitutional amendment required to facilitate ratification of the Nice Treaty; the implications of the outcome for Ireland, the European Union and the applicant States and the need for the Taoiseach to set out what proposals he has to deal with the situation created by the rejection and ensure that the enlargement process is put back on the tracks.
In view of the importance of this matter I hope the Chair will agree to this request.
I give notice of my intention, pursuant to Standing Order 31, to seek the adjournment of the Dáil to debate an issue of urgent public importance as follows: the urgent need for the Government to explain its failure to convince the electorate to endorse the Treaty of Nice in the referendum last Thursday; to explain why all ministerial colleagues did not support the Treaty; to give details of the Minister for Foreign Affairs' report to the EU Foreign Ministers at the General Affairs Council at Luxembourg on Monday and the reaction of the EU Council to the failure of the Irish Government to secure ratification of the treaty; and to specify the action the Government now proposes in relation to the Treaty of Nice.
I wish to seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate an issue of national importance requiring urgent consideration, namely the failure of the Government to secure the approval of the people for the ratification of the Nice treaty, the consequences of this result for the process of EU enlargement and for Ireland's role and reputation in the European Union.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following urgent matter of national importance, namely the joint statement of the EU Foreign Ministers at Luxembourg, including the Irish Foreign Minister, Deputy Brian Cowen, in which they reiterate their intention to implement the Nice treaty in flagrant violation of the democratic will of the electorate in this State as expressed on 7 June 2001.
(Dublin West): I also want to have the Dáil adjourned today to enable a discussion on the following matter of urgent public importance, which is the failure of the Government and of the EU to take seriously the rejection of the people in this State of the Nice treaty and the apparent intention to foist another referendum on the same treaty without any change having been made to it.
Having considered the matter fully, the Ceann Comhairle does not consider it to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and therefore I cannot grant leave to move the motion.
What a surprise.
We now move on to the third topic. I have received notice from Deputies Naughten and Kenny.
I seek the adjournment of the House under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of urgent importance, namely the need for the Government to sanction the upgrading of the N5 in Counties Roscommon and Mayo, which is of vital economic importance to the west of Ireland in light of the planned protest and go-slow on the route on Sunday next.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 in view of the increasing level of public concern and lost business to the western region and the need for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to use his authority under the Road Traffic Act, 1993, to instruct the National Roads Authority to (a) conduct traffic surveys with a view to expediting approval of sections of the N5 currently not due for improvement until 2019, (b) to instruct that immediate roadworks be carried out at Scramoge, Roscommon, for which moneys have been allocated and (c) outline arrangements he has put in place to allow business to continue in the event of major traffic disruption arising from a planned road protest on Sunday 17 June and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Having considered the matters fully, the Ceann Comhairle does not consider them to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and therefore I cannot grant leave to move the motion.