Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of related notices under Standing Order 31 from Deputies Howlin and Jim Higgins. I propose to call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.
Request to Move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
In accordance with the terms of Standing Order 31, I wish to give notice of my intention to seek the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent attention: the comments made by the Taoiseach in a radio interview in which he stated that Mr. Hugh O'Flaherty should explain his role in the Philip Sheedy affair; the need for the Government to withdraw the nomination of Mr. O'Flaherty as vice-president of the European Investment Bank pending the issuing of such a statement by Mr. O'Flaherty and an examination of that statement by an appropriate Oireachtas committee; and the implications for the Government's ability to deal with current serious problems facing the country in light of the new divisions which have emerged between the parties in Government, particularly between the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste. I hope this request will be granted.
(Mayo): I wish to seek the adjournment of the business of Dáil Éireann under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent public importance: the statement made by the Taoiseach yesterday that Mr. Hugh O'Flaherty, the Government nominee to the board of the European Investment Bank, should make a public statement on his involvement in the Philip Sheedy affair and put on record the facts surrounding his involvement in this case which led to his resignation as a judge of the Supreme Court; and that the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, which previously examined this matter, should be convened at once to seek such a statement and hear evidence from Mr. O'Flaherty.
Having considered the matters fully, I do not consider them to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and, therefore, I cannot grant leave to move the motions.
Where are the Progressive Democrats today?