I have had notice from Senator Tom Hayes regarding a motion which he wishes to raise under Standing Order 29. I call the Senator 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 being:
The statement last week by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Cowen, recommending that consumers do not purchase, and that butchers do not sell, Irish beef on the bone.
I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by Senator Hayes. I cannot consider it to be a matter contemplated by Standing Order 29. I regret, therefore, I must rule it out of order.
I am extremely disappointed by that ruling. I know it is not your problem, Sir, but the Minister—
The Senator cannot debate the matter now. However, if he were to submit the matter as an ordinary Adjournment matter I would be prepared to give sympathetic consideration to his request.
I raised the matter in this way because of the urgency of the matter. The Minister has a responsibility to react immediately because consumers are very worried. Various experts, such as butchers, consider the Minister was wrong to issue that statement over the weekend. It is doing irreparable damage to the industry.
I cannot allow the Senator to debate the matter now. However, if he wished to discuss the matter with me in my office I would be prepared to give serious consideration to taking it as an Adjournment matter if it were so submitted.
It is a matter——
I cannot debate the matter, which I have ruled out of order, with the Senator now.