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.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of local and national importance, namely, the failure of the Government to show support financially and otherwise to the Border region in a similar way to the International Fund for Ireland and the Peace Fund, set up respectively on the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement and at the time of the first ceasefire. The Government has failed dismally to support foreign investment in counties like Cavan and Monaghan. Of the recent €85 million health allocation, no funding came to the North Eastern Health Board region and regarding the closure of IFI, the workers in Belfast feel totally let down and isolated after working with an all-Ireland company. Even some of the cross-Border funding is used as replacement rather than additional funding to help the hard-pressed Border area.
I seek leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent public concern, namely, the illegal closure of Dunsink Lane in Finglas by Dublin City Council in an attempt to collectively punish a group of Travellers, other road users and residents as a result of alleged illegal activity by a small number of people in the area; the consequence of the closure in the event of an emergency, specifically the fact that emergency vehicles cannot now access the area directly; the necessity for Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council to consult with communities rather than undertaking this Israeli-type action which unfairly punishes the whole community; and the necessity for discussions to take place between local representatives and officials to resolve this issue at the earliest possible opportunity.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following important matter of public interest requiring urgent attention, namely, in the context of a €1.5 million profit for the Galtee company in 2003, the consequences of the closure of the bacon factory in Mitchelstown, County Cork; the consequences of imported bacon being sold under the Galtee label; the consequences of cheese being imported and sold under a Dairygold label at the cheese factory in Mitchelstown; and the consequences for workers who have been laid off and producers who have been affected at the Kildorrery poultry factory, where poultry are imported and sold under a central label. In view of the importance of the issue, I hope this will be agreed.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the call by Dr. Joan Power, regional director of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, for an inquiry into the handling of several issues relating to that organisation.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of urgent national importance, namely, the need to tackle the problems in our educational system that lead to one in seven children leaving primary school with literacy problems, which affects their further education and future income prospects and may cost the State money in terms of social welfare payments, lost tax revenue and possible prison expenses; and, given that early intervention in terms of school attendance is an important contributory factor to improved literacy, the Taoiseach and Minister for Education and Science should acknowledge in such a debate that all 300 education welfare officers need to be put in place as a matter of priority rather than on a piecemeal basis as is the case at present.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the growing concerns of the residents of County Wicklow following an application by Brownfield Restoration Ireland Limited to be permitted to keep illegally dumped waste on its site at Whitestown, County Wicklow, and reports that Roadstone Dublin Limited is in the process of preparing an application to permit illegally dumped waste to remain at its site in Blessington.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the circumstances of the current marine rescue operation to aid the powerless Canadian submarine located 100 miles off the Donegal coast and the implications of our not being able to deploy a suitable emergency tug towing vessel in this case, and the lessons that can be learnt in this regard for future similar incidents.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the urgent need for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to immediately require the Dublin City Manager to lift the blockade of Dunsink Lane in Finglas which is home to some 400 people and whose access to schools, work, health facilities and shops is being denied in this act of collective community punishment by the management of Dublin City Council.
Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.