May I interrupt the Senator for a moment? I have to take an item under Standing Order 29 and I will then call on him to resume. I have notice from Senator John A. Murphy regarding a motion which he wishes to move under Standing Order 29. I now call on Senator Murphy.
Request under Standing Order 29.
I request leave to move the Adjournment of the Seanad under Standing Order 29 so that Seanad Éireann can discuss the indefensibly drastic reduction in the opening hours of the National Library beginning today, reflecting the general crisis in our greatest cultural resource centre and the consequent damage both to scholarship and to Ireland's image abroad.
I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by Senator Murphy and I do not consider it to be a matter contemplated under Standing Order 29. I regret, therefore, that I have to rule it out of order.
I thank you, a Chathaoirligh. Let me observe, briefly, that despite the Taoiseach's reputation as a patron of learning, the mishandling by his Department of the National Library is a national disgrace.
The Senator is out of order.