I have notice from Senator David Norris regarding a motion he wishes to move under Standing Order 29. I now call on Senator Norris to give notice of the matter he wishes to raise.
Requests Under Standing Order 29.
I wish to move a motion for the Adjournment of the Seanad on a specific and important mattter of public interest requiring urgent consideration, that matter being the political crisis resulting from the inability of the Dáil to elect a Taoiseach.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by Senator Norris and I do not consider it to be a matter contemplated by Standing Order 29. I regret, therefore, that I have to rule the matter out of order.
I have notice from Senator Joe O'Toole regarding a motion he wishes to move under Standing Order 29 and I now call on Senator O'Toole to give notice of the motion.
Mr. O'Toole
I have requested the Adjournment of the Seanad on a specific and urgent matter relating to Article 18.8 of the Constitution which reads: "A general election for Seanad Éireann shall take place not later than ninety days after a dissolution of Dáil Éireann, and the first meeting of Seanad Éireann after the general election shall take place on a day to be fixed by the President on the advice of the Taoiseach." I wish to have the House adjourned to discuss the matter of an indication from the Minister for the Environment to the officials of this House that there would need to be two elections whereas the Constitution requirement would be fulfilled by one Seanad election even if two Dáil elections took place in the intervening period. This is a matter we can discuss only today because the ruling will take place only after the dissolution of the other House which now is almost inevitable. Consequently, we should be in a position to advise the Minister on the matter.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by Senator O'Toole and I do not consider it one contemplated by Standing Order 29. I regret, therefore, that I have to rule the matter out of order.
I have notice from Senator David Norris regarding a motion he wishes to raise under Standing Order 29 and I now call on Senator Norris to give notice of the motion.
I wish to move a motion to the Adjournment of the Seanad on a specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent consideration, the mattter being the need for the Minister for Health to give categorical assurance that in the reorganisation of the Dublin hospital situation and the eventual absorption of the Adelaide Hospital into the new hospital at Tallaght the different ethical approach embodied in that hospital's tradition will not be overwhelmed by the dominant ethos of the Catholic ethics committees.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
The Chair has given careful consideration to the matter raised by the Senator and I do not consider it to be a matter contemplated by Standing Order 29. I, therefore, have to rule it out of order. Let me now call item No. 1.
At this point I have to say with great regret and great sadness that we on the Opposition benches see no other course open to us but to withdraw from the work of the House for the rest of the day in view of the acting Government's decision to steamroll through two lengthy, complicated and important pieces of legislation.
Mr. O'Toole
I would like to put on record that the Independent group intend also withdrawing from the work of the House for the same reason, that we are not prepared to countenance this steam-rolling through of legislation and the cynical abuse of the democratic process.
The Senators withdrew.
Permit me to say, as a new Senator, that it is a great disappointment to see the behaviour of these people, their wasting so much time.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Item No. 1. Would the Senator resume his seat, please.
This is a theatrical performance.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Would the Senator resume his seat, please?
It is disgraceful.