Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Jul 2011

Vol. 739 No. 2

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32

I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 32. I will call on Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.

I wish to seek an adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, because of the awful financial struggle that families have to survive at present, it is only right, fair and proper, if the Government is going to go ahead in introducing a household tax, that it should be debated in the house this week, and all Members should have an opportunity to speak on the matter.

As Deputy Catherine Murphy is not here, I call Deputy O'Dea.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the sale of Superquinn to the Musgrave retail group, the competition issues that may arise from this agreement, the potential impact on the grocery sector across the country, the potential impact on the 2,800 workers employed by Superquinn and the need for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to make this a matter of priority.

Iarraim an Dáil a chur ar athló chun an ceist phráinneach seo a phlé, namely, in the immediate aftermath of the Cloyne report, and with the Government promising new legislation to protect children from sexual abuse and to uphold the rights of victims, it does not make sense and it is a disgraceful decision, that the HSE should impose a freeze on employing desperately needed counsellors to take up existing posts in the north-east region to provide counselling to the victims of institutional abuse.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to facilitate a debate on an issue of vital national and local importance, namely the failure by the HSE to fill adequately the necessary consultant, medical or nursing posts at hospitals or health centres throughout the country thereby creating a prelude to the emasculation of the standard, quality and availability of the services previously enjoyed by the public and to seek clarification as to the extent to which discussions have taken place——

——or will take place between the Minister and the HSE and the various professional bodies with a view to the retention of the full extent and quality of the services provided heretofore, ensuring that health and safety issues will not be used as a vehicle to restrict or discontinue services.

I thank Deputy Durkan.

Some Members opposite should well remember——

I thank the Deputy.

——when the old health board system was abolished. The abolition of the health board system——

I call Deputy Bannon.

——left us where we are now.

(Interruptions).

I call Deputy Bannon.

In view of their——

I call Deputy Bannon. Will Deputy Durkan resume his seat? I call Deputy Bannon.

In view of the countless interruptions, I should be allowed read that again.

I call Deputy Bannon. Can Deputy Bannon hear me?

Would he proceed? He should not mind Deputy Durkan, and just proceed.

I wish to seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of extraordinary national importance, namely, the fact that money is being allowed to drain from the economy, as demonstrated by the situation in which Irish construction and contractor workers are being discriminated against in the awarding of much needed building contracts——

——which are essential to financial recovery and stability, with one in five school building projects having gone to Northern Ireland in the past 18 months.

I thank Deputy Bannon.

All of those were under a Fianna Fáil Government.

I wish to seek an adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise an importance matter, namely, An Post's plans to close rural post offices, particularly Bansha Post Office, County Tipperary, to the detriment of the entire community and their complete lack of——

——co-operation with the community and public representatives.

Ba mhaith liom an Dáil a chur ar athló chun déileáil leis an gné rí-thábhachtach seo ar gá plé práinneach a déanamh air sa Dáil, is é sin, the urgent need for the Government to reverse its plans to cut the fuel allowance and household benefits package especially considering that the cuts coincide with sharp electricity and gas price hikes and considering the impact of these cuts, in particular, on older people and those with disabilities, including a blind couple in their 50s in my constituency who are especially vulnerable to the cold and who have been hit by many other price hikes in recent times including a substantial price hike in the pet insurance for their guide dogs and many others out there with comparable needs who will be targeted by these cuts.

I wish to seek an adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise the following matter of national importance requiring urgent consideration, namely, cuts in fuel allowance and household benefits schemes which will have a devastating impact on more than 630,000 people in receipt of social welfare, particularly the most vulnerable in our society including carers, the unemployed and the elderly.

I seek an adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance namely, the proposed cuts in the gas allowance, from €489 to €393 per annum, while Bord Gáis and energy providers are seeking increases in charges of up to 28%, and the appalling effect of this on people, particularly older people, carers, people with disabilities and lone parents who are dependent on these already inadequate payments to heat their homes.

I wish to seek an adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance namely, the need for the Minister for Social Protection to reverse the proposed cuts in the fuel allowance and household benefits package, which will bring further financial hardship to the most vulnerable is our communities, the very people who the Labour Party promised to protect with its promise of no cuts to social welfare, the reality of which cuts were brought home to me in my constituency of Meath West when a couple who are receiving disability were contemplating cutting back on medication so they would have money for coal this winter.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to discuss an issue of national importance, namely, the cuts to the fuel allowance which will have a devastating effect on many people in my constituency of Sligo-North Leitrim who are already struggling to keep their heads above water given all the Government's cutbacks.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil for a debate on an issue of national importance under Standing Order 32, namely, the cuts to the fuel allowance and household benefits which will have a devastating effect on many people in my constituency of Dublin North-West, where thousands of residents are struggling to make ends meet with higher taxes, levies, gas and electricity bills, the proposed water and household charges and now these cuts to the most basic of provisions. People will not be able to take these cuts and the Government is playing with people's lives. The fuel allowance is especially crucial to stave off fuel poverty, which presents the real possibility of people freezing in their homes this winter. We cannot allow this and this cannot be swept under the carpet and ignored.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to discuss the following matter of urgent importance, namely, the Government's decision to cut the current fuel and household allowance rates for the elderly and carers. Following the Minister for Social Protection's announcement last week, an elderly woman came into my constituency office in Cabra distraught. The combined cut to the household and fuel allowance will result in a €27 reduction in her weekly income. For this woman, like so many of our carers, disabled and elderly, costs are increasing week on week but the most fundamental of supports are slowly being withdrawn by the State. The Minister, Deputy Burton, and her Cabinet colleagues must wake up to the reality of people's lives. Cutting from the bottom up is wrong and unnecessary and the Government must reverse its decision to cut the current fuel and household allowance rates.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to discuss the following matter of national importance, namely, the critical need to reverse Government plans to cut the fuel allowance and the household benefits package which will, ultimately, further cripple many households throughout the State, including those in my constituency of Donegal North-East and especially those most vulnerable in society, namely, older people, carers, people with disability and lone parents.

Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 32.

Top
Share