Could I interrupt you for a minute, Senator Honan, in order to take Senator Killilea's motion at 3 p.m.? I have notice from Senator Killilea that he wishes to move a motion under Standing Order 29. I now call on Senator Killilea.
Request under Standing Order 29.
I thank you. I wish to have a discussion on the Adjournment of the Seanad on a specified and important matter of public interest requiring urgent consideration. I am referring to the widespread disruption to business and community life. For example, no medical cards have been issued and medical services are in difficulty in the postal area of Galway city. There is need for the Minister for Labour, as a matter of extreme urgency, to inform the House of the efforts he has made to resolve this most damaging dispute, the dispute being about a triviality.
The new city buildings were opened some weeks ago. Prior to that each of the offices of the Galway Corporation was in different areas. Each postman could take the post on his route to each of the offices. Now the situation is that all——
Is the Senator making a speech or making a point?
I am explaining a point because the public do not know what the reality of this situation is or the triviality of this situation. When the new civic offices were opened, all the post was put together and one postman on that route was expected to carry it on the carrier of his bicycle. That is a most unreasonable demand by management. I do not want to take sides at this stage except to say that such triviality should not be tolerated. I am asking the Minister for Labour to intervene immediately to resolve this most stupid strike.
I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by Senator Killilea. I do not consider it to be a matter contemplated by Standing Order 29. I regret, therefore, that I have to rule it out of order.
I am very disappointed with the ruling. I respect the ruling but I am very disappointed with it. People are living in the community of Connemara — which is bad enough as it is these days — where, for example, pensions to people who worked with the Galway County Council are not being paid. Medical cards are not being renewed. There is great hardship. If it was a serious strike situation, I might have second thoughts about raising it here.
Last week I was to raise it, but Senator M. Higgins of the Labour Party did his utmost to bring sanity to that situation in Galway city, but to no avail. It has reached a serious point where people are suffering. There are sick people in the community who cannot get medical cards.
No, no. The Senator is making a speech.
I ask you to reconsider the position.