Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31. I will call on Deputies in the order in which they submitted notices to my office.
Requests to Move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
I seek leave under Standing Order 31 to have Dáil business suspended to discuss a matter of local and national importance, namely, the fact that serious crime in the Carlow-Kildare division rose by 12% in 2006 compared to a 1.4% increase nationally and has risen by 74% since 2000; the continuing undermanning of the Garda force in the Carlow-Kildare division where we have one garda for every 558 people, the worst manned Garda division in the State; and the refusal of the Minister to acknowledge that there is a serious crime problem in the Carlow-Kildare division.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of local and national importance, namely, the need for the Health and Safety Authority to intervene immediately in the chaotic and hazardous position pertaining at the accident and emergency department in Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, where there is a major health hazard caused by overcrowding, with 17 people on trolleys and at least 13 others secreted on trolleys elsewhere; a major risk of the spread of infection and malnutrition because only sandwiches rather than hot food are being served; critical areas are blocked; it has not been possible to implement the Mayo disaster plan; dignity and personal safety are at risk; and 30 medical beds are urgently needed to solve the problem.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a specific matter requiring urgent attention, namely, the need for the Minister for Health and Children to increase medical card financial limits to ensure the reduction in medical card coverage from 38% to 32% of the population is reversed, and individuals and families whose cards have been downgraded from full medical cards to GP only cards have their full medical card returned to them. The GP only scheme is being used to reduce the number of medical card holders.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a specific and important matter of public interest, namely, the need for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to finally respond to the memorandum submitted by the Stardust victims and relatives committee, requesting the urgent establishment of a new commission of inquiry into the Stardust disaster in which 48 young people tragically lost their lives, in light of the 26-year struggle of the Stardust relatives and survivors for justice and closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Having given the matters full consideration, I do not consider them to be in order under Standing Order 31.