Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31. I call Deputy Arthur Morgan.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to debate a specific matter of public interest, namely, the necessity for the House to debate the recently published NESC report on housing and the necessity for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to take action to implement the recommendations in that report particularly the NESC's call for "an expanded and more flexible stock of housing available at a social rent to ensure an adequate safety net for vulnerable households".
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to debate a specific matter of public interest, namely, the explosion of consumer credit here and the threat that this unacceptably high level of personal debt places on the future sustainability of our economy.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to debate a specific matter of national importance, namely the urgent need to carry out an audit of our domestic gas network to ensure that pipework and other equipment being used adheres to the highest international standards, that a proper system of certification be set up for people installing or repairing gas systems and that the clear and present risks to residents using natural gas is minimised before an avoidable tragedy occurs due to defective equipment being installed in many homes, including for example thousands of fittings that are soldered with corrosive flux paste which can eventually lead to gas leaks.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to debate a specific matter of public importance, namely the fact that the new doctor-only medical cards which the Tánaiste promised would be ready within a matter of weeks when the Estimates were published have not been issued and will not be issued for a considerable time, and the need for the Minister for Health and Children to take the necessary legislative steps to ensure they are issued as soon as possible.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to debate a specific matter of public interest, namely the closure of the DART services on the south side of Dublin and Wicklow at weekends for the summer months and the consequences this will have for the travelling public and the commercial life of towns in north Wicklow, and the need for a statement on the matter from the Minister for Transport.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to debate a specific matter of urgent importance, namely, to address the difficulties which lie ahead in meeting electricity supply needs in the face of growing demands for energy, the threat of industrial action in the ESB as reported today and the inevitable rise in fossil fuel price due to oil depletion and correspondingly the lack of progress from Government in Ireland to conserve energy and develop renewable energy sources.
Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.