Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31.
Requests 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 national importance, namely, that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government make a statement to the House in view of yesterday's vote in the European Parliament where an attempt was made to change the Waste Framework Directive to have incineration recognised as a recovery instead of a disposal method. The Minister needs to state the impact this decision will have on waste policy here, where incineration is presented as waste to energy. This vote shows that waste is not an efficient fuel, that burning waste creates high CO2 emissions for a low electricity output, that it emits more CO2 than recycling, and that it creates health problems and diverts waste from recycling.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national and local importance, namely, the reason the Minister for Health and Children has not taken urgent action to ensure that nurses are treated equitably in our hospitals as regards their working week and as regards their remuneration, and to discuss the fact that there is a 75% drain of nurses out of our country post graduation who are lost to this State due to the appalling working conditions pertaining for them and who cost the State at least €80,000 to qualify, and to discuss the fact that dialogue is urgently needed for a resolution of the situation.
Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.