I have had notice from Senator Maurice Manning regarding a motion which he wishes to move under Standing Order No. 29. I now call on Senator Manning to give notice of the motion before I give my ruling.
Request under Standing Order 29.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I am sure we will come back to the fate of the sardines in a moment. I wait in expectation. 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 being the question of the proposed future sale of educational assets at Carysfort College, Blackrock.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by Senator Manning. 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.
Of course, I accept your ruling, but this is a matter of great urgency in view of the fact that the whole basis of the sale of Carysfort College was on the understanding that the major assets there would be used for further educational purposes, in view of the fact that a number of the underbidders for this sale were seriously proposing to set up third level educational institutions there and in view of the fact that again there was a clear understanding that those who bought it would so invest. It now appears that the whole place is being asset stripped and sold. I believe it is a matter of urgent importance. I accept your ruling today but I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment tomorrow morning.
May I just say that I wish when I raised matters like this that there was such an indulgent person in the Chair as yourself.
The Senator's timing was not so good.