Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of related notices of motion under Standing Order 31 from Deputies Joe Higgins, Owen and Gormley. I propose to call the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office. I call first on Deputy Joe Higgins.
Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
(Dublin West): I seek the adjournment of the Dáil on a crucial matter of public interest, that is, to request the Taoiseach to inform the Dáil of all the information in his possession concerning the extent of alleged illegality and alleged tax fraud involved in the Ansbacher accounts and to make provision to publicise the 120 names involved.
Under Standing Order 31, I move that the business of Dáil Éireann be adjourned to discuss a matter of urgent importance, namely, the general public outrage concerning revelations about the Ansbacher accounts and the recent partial revelation of names of persons who may be on the Ansbacher list in the possession of the Tánaiste, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance and other officials, and to allow the Tánaiste to come before this House to explain how she believes these revelations have occurred and to allow her to outline a mechanism whereby the list can be released in full with notice at an early date this week or next week.
Under Standing Order 31, I seek the suspension of the business of the House to debate the following issue of urgent public importance, namely, the need to publish in full the 120 names with Ansbacher accounts who appear in the report of the Tánaiste's authorised officer, Mr. Ryan, given the great anger among ordinary compliant taxpayers on the issue.
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 motions.