Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 6

Adjournment Debate Matters.

An Ceann Comhairle

I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given to me under Standing Order 20 (3) (a) and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Boylan, the recent breakouts from Loughan House, Blacklion, County Cavan, in particular two separate incidents in the last ten days when personal property was stolen and damaged and the action the Minister for Justice intends to take to prevent a recurrance of these or similar incidents; (2) Deputy G. O'Sullivan, the serious situation which now has arisen in Cork city and other areas caused by the indiscriminate parking of caravans and trailers on public property, a situation which has escalated over the past 24 hours; (3) Deputy G. Brady, the urgent need to preserve the archaeological site recently discovered at Ushers Quay, Dublin, the most significant since the Wood Quay site which is now in imminent danger of destruction and (4) Deputy Garland, the serious public disquiet regarding the large increase in the number of pit bull terriers and Rothweilers with a corresponding increase in attacks, especially on children and the inaction by the Minister for the Environment in this regard.

I have selected for discussion the matters raised by the following Deputies: (1) Deputy G. Brady, (2) Deputy Boylan and (3) Deputy G. O'Sullivan.

Mr. Ferris

On a point of order, I sought your advice and assistance, which I received during the day, in regard to a Private Notice Question about the crisis in the Southern Health Board area. You decided to rule my question out of order because a similar associated question was tabled for written reply.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy will appreciate and realise that I have given him my answer to this question. He may not raise the matter now or challenge my ruling in this regard. It is disorderly to do so.

Mr. Ferris

I am not challenging the Chair's ruling; I was merely seeking your guidance——

An Ceann Comhairle

No, I will not——

Mr. Ferris

Does the Chair not even share my frustration?

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Ferris, you will have to realise that there are procedures in this House for dealing with such matters.

Mr. Spring

May I raise a brief point of order. The matter brought to the attention of Deputy Ferris, that the Southern Health Board are on the brink of collapse because they are short £7 million to pay their bills, surely should come within the ambit of a Private Notice Question? It is very frustrating for the Members of this House when such an important matter cannot be raised today.

An Ceann Comhairle

In reply to Deputy Spring, I want to make it clear to the House, without creating anything like a precedent, that there is no obligation on the Chair to give reasons for his rulings in such matters.

Mr. Spring

I totally accept that.

An Ceann Comhairle

I want Deputy Ferris and Deputy Spring to realise that. However, by reason of the interventions by the Deputies concerned it is pertinent to point out that in respect of the question raised by Deputy Ferris there is on today's Order Paper Question No. 76 which relates to part (1) of the matter raised. Obviously, this clearly indicates that Deputy Ferris had ample time to put down a question——

Mr. Howlin

No.

Mr. Spring

You are inviting argument, Sir.

An Ceann Comhairle

Please allow me to make my statement.

Mr. Spring

Certainly.

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy had ample time to put down a question if he thought fit to do so. I am informed, in respect of parts (2) and (3) that they have no basis in fact. In the circumstances there is no way that the three day notice could be waived and the question allowed on Private Notice. I hope that clears up the matter.

Mr. Spring

I want to point out to you how this is seen from the other side of the argument. Question No. 76 is merely anticipatory. It is a reasonable question put down by Deputy Kenny at this time of the year whereas Deputy Ferris's Private Notice Question relates to a specific matter of urgency which is causing a grave and serious crisis in the Southern Health Board.

An Ceann Comhairle

I have said what I have said. A pertinent aspect in respect of the information conveyed to my office when researching the matter is that parts (2) and (3) have no basis in fact.

Mr. Allen

We have also put down questions.

Mr. Ferris

May I put something on the record?

An Ceann Comhairle

There will be no debate on the matter. We now resume on item No. 12.

Mr. Ferris

Deputy Kenny was prepared to withdraw his question which was irrelevant in this context.

An Ceann Comhairle

Order.