I have notice from Senator Joe Costello regarding a motion which he wishes to move under Standing Order 29. I now call on Senator Costello to give notice of the motion before I give my ruling.
Request under Standing Order 29.
I wish to move a motion for the Adjournment of the Seanad on a specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent consideration. The matter is that because of the appalling smog levels registered in all monitoring areas in Dublin which seriously breach EC standards and because of the enormous threat that continuous high smog levels pose to the health of the people of Dublin, an urgent debate should take place to ensure that practical measures be implemented immediately to protect the health of the people. I wish to move this particular motion because of the paramount importance of the situation that has developed in the last couple of weeks in relation to increasing smog levels and the threat to the health of the people of the city.
Acting Chairman
I am most reluctant to interrupt the Senator. However, under the terms of Standing Order 29 I am afraid that he cannot be allowed to elaborate on the motion which he has put before the Chair.
I am merely explaining the importance of the motion so that it will be given due consideration by the Chair.
Acting Chairman
I thank the Senator. I do not consider it to be a matter contemplated by Standing Order 29. I regret, therefore, I have to rule it out of order.
It is an urgent matter. The reason it was presented in the first place was that the House should adjourn to ensure that a matter as urgent and as important as this be debated. It is something that could not have been on the Order of Business of the House before this. We felt you would consider it so that we would have the opportunity of discussing something that is of the utmost importance to all the people of this country in particular to the people of Dublin.
Acting Chairman
I fully appreciate the remarks made by the Senator. However, I have made my ruling. May I suggest to the Senator that if he believes the matter is of such urgency he would place it before the Cathaoirleach for consideration on the Adjournment.