Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of topics under Standing Order 31 and I 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 seek leave to move the Adjournment of the Dáil on the following specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent consideration, the decision by FÁS to issue a directive freezing all social economy schemes throughout the State.
I seek to move the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, the ongoing disagreement between two Departments, the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism, in relation to the excavations at Carrickmines Castle where the National Museum of Ireland has objected to an excavation licence issued by Dúchas.
I seek to move the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of national importance, the need for the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, to clarify proposed plans for the withdrawal of maternity services from St. Joseph's Hospital Clonmel in County Tipperary. This long-standing service is vital for the people of south Tipperary who have relied on it for so many years and it is difficult to comprehend that at a time of huge development at the said hospital, such a move could be considered.
I seek to interrupt the business of the House to discuss the ongoing row between the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the IFA in relation to the placing of conservation restrictions on large tracts of farmland in the west and today's escalation of that dispute where the IFA is extending its campaign by preventing Dúchas officials from going on to land along the River Moy in County Mayo.
Under Standing Order 31, I seek leave to move the Adjournment of the Dáil on a specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent consideration in regard to Carrickmines Castle. Can the Taoiseach clarify whether procedures for the issuing of an archaeological licence for the removal of the medieval wall at the Carrickmines site were correctly followed by Dúchas; will he request that work on the removal of this wall be suspended pending the outcome of an appeal to the Supreme Court on this important issue; and will he consider making changes to the route of the M50 motorway so that damage to this important and historical monument is averted?
I seek leave to adjourn the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national and international importance: that Irish taxpayers have been faced with a multimillion euro bill due to the US Government's refusal to pay for its military over-flying of this neutral country and the Irish people have shown in a massive demonstration by 100,000 people in Dublin last Saturday and in recent public opinion polls that they are totally opposed to such military over-flights and to a war against Iraq.
Having considered all the matters raised, I do not consider them to be in order under Standing Order 31.
On a point of order, do you see any point, a Cheann Comhairle, in retaining this Standing Order? Are there any circumstances under which you think its use would be contemplated?
There are precedents for its use, Deputy Rabbitte, but if the members of the Dáil reform committee wish to do away with the Standing Order, the Chair will implement whatever decision they take.