Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31 and I will call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted the notices to my office. I call on Deputy Morgan 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 on the following specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent consideration, namely, the failure of the Government to address the ever-escalating cost of insurance, and its apparent lack of awareness of the crisis resulting from its inaction. This is causing grave difficulties and even closure for small businesses and is now one of the most serious threats to employment. The cost of motor insurance premiums is causing severe hardship, especially to young people in rural areas, who have no access to public transport and who have little choice but to pay these high premiums.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national concern, namely, the decision of the ESB to close a third of the ESB retail shops – 27 out of 81 – across the country, and the consequences of this decision for rural areas.
In accordance with the terms of Standing Order 31, I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent attention, namely, the huge increase in fishery harbour rates and charges imposed by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources at the following ports, Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Rossaveale and Killybegs, the huge economic burden for fishery workers, and the serious implications for the safety of vessels arising from the imposition of these charges.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 on the following important matter of public interest requiring urgent consideration, namely, the need for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to cease the undemocratic practice of legislating by stealth, through his insistence on introducing extensive and unrelated amendments, on Committee Stage, to Bills that have already been debated on Second Stage. Last night the Minister introduced 32 pages of proposed Committee Stage amendments to the Immigration Bill 2002 which include numerous draconian provisions, some of which may violate Ireland's international obligations on the protection of refugees.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to allow it to debate a matter of urgent national interest, namely, the decision of the ESB to close down 27 of the 81 shops throughout the country, the adverse social implications of these closures and the serious downgrading of services to rural communities.
Having considered the matters raised, they are not in accordance with Standing Order 31.