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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Request to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.

Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31 dealing with four different topics. I propose to deal with these topics separately and I will call on Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.

In regard to the first topic I received notice from Deputies Naughten, Pat Breen and Joe Higgins. I call on Deputy Naughten to state the matter.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate a matter of national importance, namely, the decision by Irish Rail to axe 400 jobs in its rail freight sector and the urgent need for the Minister for Transport to implement stated Government policy to retain and develop the rail freight sector.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate a matter of national importance, namely, the decision by Irish Rail to pull out of rail freight which will have a catastrophic impact on the staff of the company and the increasing congestion on our roads. It is imperative that the Minister for Trans port intervenes not only to support the sector, but to plan its future development.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate a matter of national importance, namely, the need for the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, to discuss the proposed closure of the railway line between Rosslare and Limerick Junction and, in particular, the devastating consequences of the proposed closure on the south-eastern region.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the decision by Irish Rail management to seek the agreement of CIE to cease operating rail freight in cement, shale and oil distribution and to cease passenger operations on the Limerick Junction to Rosslare and Limerick to Ballybrophy routes; the implications of such a decision for rail transport in the State, road congestion and the 330 workers who could be sacked and the need for the Minister for Transport to make an urgent statement on the matter.

Having given the matter full consideration I do not consider it to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and therefore I cannot grant leave to move the motion.

In regard to the second topic I have received notice from Deputies Ó Caoláin, Crawford and Connolly. I call on Deputy Ó Caoláin to state the matter.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following specific and important matter of public interest which requires urgent consideration: the need for the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health and Children to intervene directly to reverse the downgrading of Monaghan General Hospital, to restore it to 24-hour, seven-day on call status, to ensure the appointment of the necessary consultant and junior doctor personnel and to secure the restoration of acute hospital services and their further development.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate a matter of national importance, namely, the reduction of services in Monaghan General Hospital despite the fact that the hospital is almost full and is providing an excellent service, the potential downgrading of up to ten other hospitals in a similar manner and the need for Government intervention to avoid another crisis on 1 January.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the current situation pertaining at Monaghan General Hospital arising from the decision of the North-Eastern Health Board last week to adopt the chief executive's plans for future configuration of services there, which have been rejected by all the professional interests involved and the people of Monaghan.

Having given the matter full consideration I do not consider it to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and therefore I cannot grant leave to move the motion.

In regard to the third topic I have received notice from Deputies Allen and Stanton. I call on Deputy Allen to state the matter.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the serious underfunding of the IFI workers' pension fund with the resulting serious consequences for the workers in question.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate a matter of urgent national importance, namely, the situation arising at IFI, Marino Point, County Cork, where manning levels have been reduced to such an extent that the remaining workers are concerned about the safety of the chemical plant and the people in the surrounding areas and the urgent need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to intervene to ensure the people in the greater Cork area are not put at unnecessary risk.

Having considered the matter fully I do not consider it to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and therefore I cannot grant leave to move the motion.

In regard to the fourth topic I have received notice from Deputy Gay Mitchell. I call on Deputy Mitchell to state the matter.

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to consider a matter of urgent public concern, namely, the imminent decision on a resolution or resolutions by the United Nations Security Council on Iraq, especially given the need for Dáil Éireann to consider Ireland's vote on the issue at the Security Council.

Having considered the matter fully I do not consider it to be contemplated by Standing Order 31 and therefore I cannot grant leave to move the motion.

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