I have had notice from Senator Jackman regarding a motion which she wishes to move under Standing Order 29. I now call on Senator Jackman to give notice of the motion before I give my ruling.
Request under Standing Order 29.
This will be of great interest to the Minister, Deputy Connolly, although it is directed to the Minister for Education. I raised this last week but it was not chosen for a debate on the Adjournment.
My motion refers to the need for the Minister for Education to begin work immediately on the long promised extension at Richhill National School, Lisnagry, County Limerick, in view of the destruction of one prefabricated building last Monday and the continuing danger to the pupils who, fortuitously were on a day off when the prefabricated building was blown down. Considerable damage was done to the rest of the school.
I would draw the attention of the Minister, Deputy Connolly, to the fact that this is a derelict site from an educational viewpoint and from a building viewpoint. In light of this I ask that the Minister for Education would have contingency plans prepared. A number of the pupils are now off school because they have no school to go to. I would like if the Minister would come here and address this issue immediately for the sake of the 250 pupils in that school. The Minister knows of the problem since she became Minister for Education; she knows about the dilapidated state of those prefabs for 11 years——
Acting Chairman
I am reluctant to interrupt the Senator but she is only permitted to read the motion rather than make a speech.
It has deteriorated since last week.
Acting Chairman
I have allowed the Senator a certain latitude so far.
I moved the motion in the light of the extraordinary happenings during the week.
Acting Chairman
I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by Senator Jackman. I do not consider it to be a matter contemplated by Standing Order 29 and I regret, therefore, that I have to rule it out of order.