Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with two notices under Standing Order 31 and will call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office. I call on Deputy Pat Breen to state his matter.
Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate a matter of extreme importance for regional development in Ireland: the need for the Minister for Transport to use his veto to block any attempt by the European Commission to change the current bilateral agreement between the US and Ireland, which, if changed, would have catastrophic effects on the transatlantic business at Shannon Airport.
I call Deputy O'Dowd to state his matter.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise the following matter of national importance: the decision of the North Eastern Health Board to cut back 85,000 home help hours in 2003 in counties Monaghan, Meath, Cavan and Louth, a decision which is causing major upset and serious difficulties for the sick, the elderly and the disabled, as well as their families, carers and neighbours, as a consequence of the totally inadequate finance provided to the health board by the Minister for Health and Children in 2003.
Having given the matters full consideration, I do not consider them to be in order under Standing Order 31.