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 wish the propose the adjournment of Dáil Éireann under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent public and national concern, namely, the recent changes in the nursing home subvention scheme, which have capped the rate of subvention at €300 per week; the scrapping of the top-up system of enhancement; the worsening of the nursing home residency situation by €170 per week, which is most distressing for elderly residents and their families; the arbitrary imposition of these changes to the scheme without a full explanation to local HSE officials charged with responsibility for implementing them; and calls on the Minister for Health and Children to revisit these changes to the scheme as a matter of urgency.
A notice from Deputy Boyle under Standing Order 31 cannot be taken as he is not present.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of urgent public importance, namely, the growing jobs crisis in Tralee, which has an unemployment rate well above the State's average and has been worsened by the announcement of further job losses at Denny's factory. There is a need for further action to address this issue.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following specific matter of public interest requiring urgent attention, namely, the serious implications for the future viability of Cork Airport of the decision of the Government to require the airport to meet debts of €100 million, despite having previously promised it would be debt-free; and the need for the Government to review this decision and to honour the commitment previously made in writing by the former Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan. In view of the importance of the issue I hope the Ceann Comhairle agrees to this request.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, namely, the deteriorating traffic conditions in the greater Dublin area, which are set to worsen as transport construction projects get underway; the loss of focus on short-term and medium-term measures to manage and maximise existing networks; the total absence of planning, co-ordination, co-operation and integration among the multiplicity of agencies supposedly in charge; and the urgent imperative to establish a Dublin transportation authority to take control before conditions deteriorate beyond redemption.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following specific and important matter, namely, that the Minister for Communication, Marine and Natural Resources urgently brings forward a comprehensive postal service strategy in light of reports that up to 500 post offices may be shut down by this Government, with devastating effects on local, rural and urban communities; and that such a strategy also addresses the unsatisfactory, poor working conditions and low wages which many postmasters and postmistresses experience, as well as the increased attacks on their premises; the non-automation of nearly 400 out of 1,300 post offices, especially in the context of the fast-approaching full liberalisation of the postal sector in 2009; and if the Minister will make a statement to the House on the matter.
I respectfully ask that my colleague, Deputy Boyle, might be allowed to read his notice under Standing Order 31, as he was attending today's meeting of the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service.
There are too many Members coming in who are not——
He was at the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service. However, I rise to read my own matter.
It is important to make the point that had I noticed Deputy Boyle was not in the Chamber, I would not have called his name. Once I had called his name, however, we cannot go back, because this is happening too often.
I was with the Minister for Finance, at the same time.
Tomorrow morning the Deputy will have an opportunity. We shall call him then.
Will the Ceann Comhairle accept a special notice question?
I request under Standing Order 31 that the Dáil be adjourned to deal with an outstanding matter of public concern, namely, the need for the Tánaiste to be given the opportunity to speak in this House on the first report of the Moriarty tribunal, given the lack of any Progressive Democrats contribution during the truncated debate on this issue which took place last Wednesday, and given the Tánaiste's wish to be given that opportunity; and I support his request in this regard as I am sure we all do.
That is not appropriate.
I seek leave to adjourn the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent public concern, namely, the concern of parents, teachers and boards of management at the lack of Government investment in educational provision in County Louth, which has resulted in 30% of schools having 30 pupils per teacher or more; some 90% of pupils are in classes of more than 20, despite Government promises; and school projects such as Ballapousta national school, Ardee, have been refused permanent accommodation by the Department of Education and Science twice in the last three years. I have visited Ballapousta school and witnessed the atrocious conditions there.
It is not appropriate for the Deputy to go beyond the notice under Standing Order 31. Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.