I have had a request under Standing Order 30 from two Deputies. Deputy Alan Dukes asked me to concede to him the right to have the House adjourned for a period to discuss a specific matter. The Deputy may now put that matter to the House.
Request for Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 30.
A Cheann Comhairle, my request is to move the Adjournment of the House in order to allow the House to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, that is, a proposal that this House calls on the Government to provide adequate funds to meet the needs of areas adversely affected by coastal damage and flooding caused by the recent storms and intemperate weather. I further propose that the House adjourn at 8.30 p.m. to discuss this matter between 8.30 p.m. and 11 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night. I would further add, since it appears that the Government are beginning to recognise there is a problem, that it would be useful for the Cabinet subcommittee, which was announced today, to have the views of this House and the direct experience of Members of this House to draw on when they are going about this work.
Having considered the matter fully, I do not consider that it is one contemplated under Standing Order 30 and I regret, therefore, that I cannot grant leave to move the motion.
A Cheann Comhairle, I must say, and I will be as orderly as I can about it, that I consider it a matter of urgency: there are thousands of people all around the country who find their homes and their businesses under several feet of water and people in many parts of the country are afraid that the next high wind will bring the sea in on top of them.
Deputies
Hear, hear.
I think this is a matter for the urgent consideration of this House. I regret, Sir, that you have not even given the Government the opportunity to agree to making the time available tonight and tomorrow night to examine this issue.
I think it is fair to say that this House has had an opportunity of discussing the matter. Many Deputies raised the matter in the budget debate recently. It was also the subject of the Adjournment Debate last Wednesday and has been the subject of questions for answer here today.
It is getting worse.
The rain does not stop for the budget debate.
It is not fair to suggest that the House did not contemplate this matter.
Are we relevant or are we not?
Deputy Dick Spring gave me notice under Standing Order 30 that he wished the House to adjourn so that we could debate Nelson Mandela and the present situation in South Africa.
A Cheann Comhairle, in view of the fact that I anticipated your response on the question of suspending the House for a number of hours and that we have had a discussion on the matter in a Private Notice question, I will withdraw that request at this stage.
A Cheann Comhairle, although it is very much a second best and most unsatisfactory way of dealing with it, given that the House could have made the time available, with your permission, Sir, I would like your leave to raise the matter I have already mentioned on the Adjournment.
I will communicate with the Deputy. I will hear Deputies on points of order and matters appertaining to the Adjournment when we dispose of the Order of Business — that is the usual procedure.