I have notice from Senator Cox of a motion she wishes to table under Standing Order 29. I call on Senator Cox to give notice of her motion before I give my ruling.
Request to Move Adjournment of the Seanad under Standing Order 29.
I wish to move a motion under Standing Order 29 for the Adjournment of the House on a specific and important matter of public interest, namely, the water supply crisis in Galway. More than 90,000 people are affected by the contamination of the water supply in Galway, resulting in 93 cases so far of serious gastric illnesses and the people of the county being denied their basic human right of access to water. The former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, has said, "Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and, therefore, a basic human right." Contaminated water jeopardises both the physical and social health of all people.
That is not the motion I have in front of me.
I thought I was allowed to speak.
The Senator is only allowed to speak if she is selected.
I must make a ruling first.
How then can I convince the Cathaoirleach that the matter is of national importance?
I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by Senator Cox and cannot consider it a matter contemplated by Standing Order 29. I regret, therefore, that I must rule it out of order.
Good try.