Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31 dealing with two different topics. I propose to deal with them separately and will call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.
Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
I wish to seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the urgent matter of the sudden and unexpected resignation of the chairman of Telecom Éireann, Mr. Brian Thompson, and the effect this will have on the share price and investor confidence in the company, as well as the circumstances relating to his appointment in January last.
(Dublin West): I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent public importance: the implications for the publicly owned national telecommunications company, Telecom Éireann, of the resignation of its chairman of just three months and the appointment of the same person as chairman and chief executive of a major US-based multinational telecommunications company operating in the Irish market; whether crucial commercial information relating to the future of Telecom Éireann was in the possession of the former chairman; and the advisability of proceeding now with the proposed privatisation.
Having considered the matters fully, I do not consider them to be contemplated by Standing Order 31. Therefore, I cannot grant leave to move the motion.
Under Standing Order 31, I ask that the business of this House be adjourned in order to debate the developing crisis in Kosovo and the possibility of NATO air strikes in Yugoslavia.
Having considered the matter fully, I do not consider it to be contemplated by Standing Order 31. Therefore, I cannot grant leave to move the motion.