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Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 May 1983

Vol. 100 No. 11

Business of Seanad.

May I interrupt the Senator for a moment to call on Senator Brendan Ryan on Standing Order 29.

This is the most appropriate issue to raise in this House in the light of the pronouncements about the sanctity of human life over the last three weeks. I wish to propose under Standing Order 29 the adjournment of the House on a specific and urgent matter of public interest requiring urgent consideration, to be precise, the hunger strike by Nicky Kelly, a prisoner in Portlaoise prison. It is obviously a matter of great concern, a questionable judicial decision, a man who is physically unwell, under and has been receiving psychiatric treatment, well into the fourth week of a hunger strike and with precious little concern from either us politicians, the media or, indeed, the Church agencies that seem to confine their consideration of these issues to North of the Border. I propose the adjournment of the House to discuss this urgent matter.

I should like to support Senator Brendan Ryan.

I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by Senator Brendan Ryan. I do not at present consider it to be a matter contemplated by Standing Order 29. I regret therefore I have to rule it out of order.

In my 18 months here I have never quibbled with a Cathaoirleach about anything but if a man is at the point of dying because of a failure in our political and judicial processes that is an urgent matter, a matter which requires urgent consideration and must be considered now. We cannot postpone consideration until the man is dead. No nonsense about inflexibility or strength or willpower or the institutions of the State can get away from that fact. The man will die if something is not done about the matter and that will redound to nobody's credit and it does not say much for our concern for life when a matter like this of specific concern is postponed.

It is not contemplated in Standing Orders.

Senator Magner rose.

I cannot allow a discussion on this. The Senator cannot dispute the ruling of the Chair.

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