Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 32. I will call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.
Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32.
In light of the statement earlier today by Dr. Donal O'Shea of St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin that Irish children are now among the fattest in Europe — compared to the position 40 years ago when they were the leanest — I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the current epidemic of obesity that is sweeping the country and the steps that can be taken to harness the enormous interest in this matter among members of the public, which is evidenced by the fact that more than 500,000 of them watch "Operation Transformation" on RTE One and also that there have been over 3 million hits to the programme's website.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the continued embargo or moratorium on recruitment in the HSE, which has resulted in the closure of beds and many day-care facilities throughout the country. Yesterday, 50 elderly patients who attend the day-care facility at the Plunkett Home in Boyle were informed that the services on offer there would not be continued due to a lack of staff and budgetary cutbacks. This facility provided hope, friendship and respect for elderly citizens who made huge sacrifices for this country. The decision that has been made is a crime against elderly citizens who rely on the service to ease their burdens and add some joy to their lives. I call on the Minister for Health and Children to address the situation immediately.
Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 32.