I have had a request from Deputies Dukes and De Rossa to seek a debate under Standing Order 30 relative to the health services. Having considered the matter fully I do not consider that it is one contemplated by Standing Order 30. I cannot, therefore, grant leave to move the motions raised by the Deputies. Deputy De Rossa.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 30.
I regret your decision on this matter.
I regret——
(Interruptions.)
In accordance with Standing Order 30, I notified you last Monday, 22 January, that I wished to request leave to move the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss an important matter of public interest, namely, the current crisis in the hospital services which is causing suffering and inconvenience for patients and difficulties for staff and the need for the Government to urgently provide additional resources to restore hospital services to a level which is adequate to provide prompt and effective medical care for all who need it. As you are no doubt aware, a Cheann Comhairle——
I must dissuade the Deputy from making a speech. I will hear a brief comment from the Deputies concerned but there cannot be a debate.
I am not making a speech. I am simply making a case for the Dáil to adjourn at 7 o'clock tonight, for which the orders provide. As you are obviously aware from the dispute at Question Time, a major crisis has developed in the health services since the Dáil adjourned on 15 December. It is important that the House should at the earliest possible date — today — discuss this crisis, as I am sure it is unacceptable to most people outside the House not to do so and to defer it——
The Deputy has made his point. I now call Deputy Dukes.
The matter is urgent and, as Deputy De Rossa said, the discussion at Question Time showed that a number of issues in the health services need to be rapidly and clearly addressed, and not just addressed but resolved. Since 7 January my colleagues and I have been calling for this matter to be urgently debated. We sought an early recall of the Dáil to do this but I regret that others, who are rather loquacious at present, did not see fit to support our request.
The Deputy's party did nothing in three years.
We sought an early recall of the Dáil so that the matter could be debated in this House in good time for the Government to make whatever provision was required in the budget which will be before the House tomorrow. The Government have avoided this debate and have been let off the hook.
The Deputy is making a speech.
The Government's response to this issue has been pathetic and half-hearted. The Government said today that if we considered going back to normal pairing arrangements they would consider making more time available. That is not on offer and this country — and the people who need health services — deserve better than the kind of pig in a poke that the Government are now putting forward.
On a point of order, will you assist me regarding a certain matter? Having regard to the fact that it is not possible for geriatric patients to get a bed in the Eastern Health Board area——
Resume your seat, Deputy.
What is a matter of urgent public consideration if a crisis in the health services is not one?
I ask Deputy Rabbitte not to persist in interrupting me in this fashion. Resume your seat or leave the House. I am calling the Taoiseach on the Order of Business. I am sorry, before I call the Taoiseach I should acquaint Deputy Spring of my decision in regard to a matter he raised under Standing Order 30. Apologies, Deputy, mea culpa. Having fully considered the matter regarding the Civil Legal Aid Board, on which the Deputy sought a debate, I do not consider it is one contemplated by Standing Order 30 and I regret, therefore, I cannot grant him leave to move the motion.
Obviously I disagree with your judgment in relation to a matter of urgency because the Chairman of the Civil Legal Aid board and two members — all of whom seem to be very reasonable people — resigned in protest at the Government's failure to do anything. Obviously, I must abide by your decision but will the Taoiseach order a two-hour debate this evening on the civil legal aid scheme?
I am now asking the Taoiseach to move the Order of Business.