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 Gilmore, Joe Higgins and Sargent. I propose to call the Deputies in the order in which they submitted notices to my office.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
In accordance with the terms of Standing Order 31 I seek to move the Adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent attention: the implications for the authority of the Government and the credibility of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government of the decision by the Government to capitulate to pressure from four Independent Deputies by agreeing to remove a central provision of the Local Government Bill, which would have prohibited Deputies from also sitting on local authorities.
(Dublin West): Under Standing Order 31 I seek to move the Adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the capitulation of the Government to four Independent Deputies causing the abandonment of what the Government previously stated to be a major plank of local government reform, that is, the prohibition on Members of the Dáil being members of local authorities, to allow the Government to clarify its policy on local government in light of the new situation and to clarify whether the Cabinet is in charge of proposed Government legislation.
I request the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the absolute loss of credibility and lack of confidence enjoyed by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government following his ditching of the so-called Government commitment to end the double jobbing dual mandate policy.
Having considered the matters fully, I do not consider them to be con templated by Standing Order 31 and therefore I cannot grant leave to move the motion.