Vol. 542 No. 5
Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31 that deal with three different topics. I propose to deal with these topics separately and I will call on Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.
In regard to the first topic I have received notices from Deputies Jim Higgins and Owen. I call on Deputy Higgins to state the matter.
(Mayo): I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the decision by the board of Aer Lingus to axe 2,026 jobs at the company, the serious consequences for the future of the airline of the reduction of its core workforce by 35%, the major impact this will have on the livelihoods of the 2,026 workers and their families, and the decision by the Government as the main shareholder in the company to support such drastic measures.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of immediate urgent business, namely, the viability plan for Aer Lingus, so the Minister for Public Enterprise can outline the action she proposes to take to secure the maximum number of jobs and the future of Aer Lingus.
As the matter is being dealt with by way of private notice question, it is not in order under Standing Order 31.
In regard to the second topic I have received notice from Deputy Coveney. I call on Deputy Coveney to state the matter.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise an issue of national importance, namely, to ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for a statement on the announced resignation of the legal officer to the Criminal Assets Bureau and the reasons such a central figure to the success of the CAB since its establishment would take this grave decision to resign.
Having given the matter full consideration I do not consider it to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and therefore I cannot grant leave to move the motion.
In regard to the third topic I have received notice from Deputy Sargent. I call on Deputy Sargent to state the matter.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national and international importance, namely, the threat posed to Ireland by nuclear weapons in Britain and on British submarines, and the legal and diplomatic measures the Government needs to pursue to bring about the disarmament and decommissioning of these weapons of mass destruction, so it will not be necessary again for my colleague, Patricia McKenna, MEP, to be arrested in doing her job and which the Government is failing to do.
The Deputy is well outside the terms of the notice he submitted. Having given the matter full consideration I do not consider it to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and therefore I cannot grant leave to move the motion.
