Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31. I will call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.
Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of important national business: the need for the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to make a statement following the closure announcement yesterday of the Ridge Tool Company in Cork, this being the third major company closure and loss of jobs in the Cork South-Central constituency since the beginning of this year; and the unacceptable reticence of the Government in recognising and responding to the deteriorating economy in the area.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss an issue of local and national importance: the fact that a high quality, purpose built structure at a day centre in Cootehill, County Cavan, has been available to the elderly for almost two years but has never been put into operation by the North Eastern Health Board in a similar way to the centre in Virginia. Cootehill has only been offered services for one day per fortnight. Is it good planning to spend capital on a modern building and yet leave the elderly without a service? This is also the case in Blanchardstown hospital and many others throughout the country, where capital has been spent although the relevant services have not been put into operation.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter: the public concern arising from the fact that the Government had imported electronic voting machines to the value of €20 million at least six weeks before the contract for the supply of the machines was signed on 19 December and more than six months before the necessary legislation had been introduced in the Dáil.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of national importance: the need for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to indicate if he is aware of the difficulties experienced by aspiring job applicants, especially in the education and social care areas, in obtaining character clearance certificates at local Garda stations; and the need for him to indicate the measures he proposes to introduce to resolve this most unsatisfactory set of circumstances.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss an issue of urgent public importance: the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for a crematorium in Wicklow despite a recommendation of its own inspector to refuse planning permission, and a further precedent set by this decision following the decision on an incinerator in Ringaskiddy, which also ignored the advice of the inspector.
I have considered the matters raised and they are not in accordance with Standing Order 31.