Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31. I call Deputy Connolly.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent public and national concern, namely, the proposal to outsource more than 100 rural postal routes to private operators, thereby resulting in the loss of the local postman together with his social contribution to society and a consequent reduced quality of postal service to rural Ireland.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of urgent national importance, namely, the need to discuss the ongoing difficulties and disruptions at An Post, specifically the need for a public inquiry into An Post's finances and to debate the type of postal service we need here in the future.
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, namely, the serious implications for Irish exports and labour relations in general of the current dispute in Irish Ferries arising from the decision of the company to make almost 200 workers redundant and employ replacement contract workers at inferior wage rates and conditions, which has led to the suspension of all Irish ferry services, and the urgent need for Government intervention to bring about an end to the dispute and the restoration of full services.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the need for direct intervention to prevent the proposed cutting from tomorrow, 8 December, of six of only 13 emergency places for newly homeless children in the eastern region, consisting of counties Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, and the need to ensure that this cut is not allowed to plunge more children into chronic homelessness.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent public importance, namely, the crisis in An Post, including the downgrading of this vital public service, cuts to services provided by An Post, especially in rural Ireland, the failure of management to honour agreements with the workforce, the decision to close the SDS service, the major questions over the presentation of the state of the company's finances by management and the need for the Government to take seriously its obligation to the State-owned service on the eve of a State-wide stoppage by An Post workers tomorrow, 8 December.
I propose the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent national importance, namely, a study of suicides in Kildare between 1995 and 2002 which showed that the most likely group to die by suicide are young men under the age of 30 who are unemployed and suffering from undiagnosed depression.
I seek that the business of the House be adjourned to discuss a matter of urgent and specific national importance, namely, that a debate be held into the findings of the Irish Financial and Regulatory Services Authority report into activities at Allied Irish Bank and the impact these findings may have for public confidence in the financial services industry.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, if the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will make a statement on the employment of consultants during the tenure of the former Minister, his immediate predecessor.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of vital national interest, namely, the increasing serious situation at An Post, which will this week see a loss of service to customers with consequent hardship, and the need for the Minister to look again with renewed urgency at the situation in An Post with a view to taking initiatives to bring about industrial peace, the restructuring of the company and the continuation of vital and necessary services to the consumer.
Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.