Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of notices of motion under Standing Order 30 from Deputy John Bruton and Deputy De Rossa. I observe that the notices relate to the same subject matter and I propose to call the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office. I now call on Deputy John Bruton to state the matter of which he has given notice to me.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 30.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 30 to discuss the nature of the contact between the Minister for Industry and Commerce and the High Court appointed inspectors into the Greencore Company in view of the fact that any contact by a Minister with appointees of the courts, other than through the court, was inherently improper because there should be no interference by the Executive in the courts; (b) the disclaimer issued last night by one inspector of any interference was subsequently stated by the other inspector not to have been issued on his behalf. These matters require urgent clarification of a kind that can only be forthcoming in an extended debate under Standing Order 30 and which cannot be fully dealt with either by brief statements without notice or by Dáil questions.
I now call on Deputy De Rossa to state the matter of which he has given notice to me.
In accordance with Standing Order 30 I request leave to move the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the conflicting statements issued by the two High Court appointed inspectors into the Greencore affair regarding allegations of political interference by a Government Minister with their work, the potential damage to public confidence in the inspector system by this controversy and the need for steps to be taken urgently to clarify the matter including, if necessary, requesting the High Court to investigate the allegations. These are urgent matters and the Dáil needs to deal with them today.
Having considered the matter fully, I do not consider it to be one contemplated by Standing Order 30. Therefore, I cannot grant leave to move the motions. However, I can tell the House that I received notice that statements would be made on this matter after the Order of Business and, accordingly, the Dáil will discuss the matter today. Therefore, I cannot grant leave now.
The procedure which is to be adopted or the initiative of the Government after the Standing Order 30 motion was brought forward by this side of the House is not satisfactory because it does not allow for a sufficiently lengthy debate or for any proper questioning of the Minister.
If the Deputy is unhappy about the procedure adopted in respect of statements he ought to have it decided by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges so that the matters concerned can be rectified.
My concern relates to the way in which the House is dealing with this matter, and not to the procedures of the House. This matter is so serious that there should be a proper investigation during which the Minister answers questions.
The matter is being dealt with great expedition and immediately.