Senator McGlinchey has given me notice that he intends to seek leave to move the adjournment of the Seanad to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance.
Business of Seanad.
I request leave to move the adjournment of the Seanad for the purpose of discussing the following definite matter of urgent public importance, namely:
The serious slump in the fishing industry and the imminent possibility of all fishing operations ceasing.
I thank the Senator for having, as is the custom of the House, given me prior notice of his intention to request leave to move the adjournment of the Seanad on a definite matter of urgent public importance. In order for such a matter to be allowed it must be both urgent and of public importance. The matter is undoubtedly one of public importance, but, taking recent developments and the current position into account, I do not consider that it possesses the degree of urgency requisite under Standing Order No. 26 for the granting of the Senator's request. In the circumstances I must rule that the motion is not one contemplated by the Standing Order.
This ruling is, of course, without prejudice to the right of the Senator or, indeed, of any Senator, to give notice of motion in the usual way in respect of this matter.
Fishermen with whom I spoke last night completely disagreed with what the Parliamentary Secretary said in the Dáil last night. The Parliamentary Secretary said that the Government were doing everything in their power to help the fishing industry. The price of white fish has remained the same for the past 20 years. Unless this Government do something concrete for this industry quickly, the fishing industry as a whole will come to a halt. In view of all this, does the Chair not consider that this House should be given an opportunity to debate this very urgent matter?
I have already indicated to the Senator that it was open to him to put down a notice of motion. It is equally open to the Seanad to take that motion and debate it.
I am sure the Cathaoirleach realises that a motion tabled now may not be taken for two years.
That is outside my control.
It has been said that this is not an urgent matter. The fishermen blocked Dublin port yesterday and will do it again tomorrow. How does this House define "urgent"? It may not be considered urgent at 3 o'clock but it may be vitally urgent at 4 o'clock.
Leave was sought at 3 o'clock today and the ruling was given in terms of the situation at that time. It is, of course, open to Senator Killilea and Senator McGlinchey to move the same motion tomorrow in which case the Chair will rule on the circumstances existing at that time.
The word "urgent" seems to have a very tight meaning. Perhaps the Standing Order could be reviewed.
This matter could be brought to the attention of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges.
I propose that.
This is not the place to do so.
I have considered the application from Senator Augustine Martin to raise, on the motion for the adjournment of the House tonight, the following matter:
The financial plight of certain secondary schools.
I consider that this matter is so wide that it should not come forward for discussion on the adjournment but rather by way of substantive motion. Such questions cannot be regarded as proper subjects for the adjournment owing to the inadequacy of the debate and the lack of provision for coming to a decision.
Accordingly, I rule that the application is disallowed.
The Senator has been notified of my decision.
May we have an urgent debate on this next week?
There is already a motion on the Order Paper in relation to this matter. It is open to the Seanad to take this motion at any time. It is also open to any Senator to put down amendments to that motion.
I am requesting the Leader of the House to——
We are not discussing the Order of Business.
I have notice from Senator Mary Robinson that, on the motion for the adjournment of the House tonight, she proposes to raise the following matter:
The fact that the annual Reports of the Board of Visitors to the National Museum have not been printed or laid before the House since 1969-70 report which was laid in 1971, and the fact that the House is thereby deprived of the opportunity to scrutinise the work of the Museum, and in particular its supervisory role on archaeological excavations.
I am accepting that notice and the matter will be taken from 9.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. or earlier if the business ordered is concluded.