Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31. 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 the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the recent application by VHI for a substantial fee increase; the Minister's immediate indication that he would grant that increase; the inexorable rise in the cost of health care generally; and the need for increased competition in the provision and procurement of health services in order to control costs.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the need for the restoration of the accident and emergency unit at Monaghan General Hospital, which has been off-call for emergencies for exactly one year today, 1 July 2003, and the need for the Minister for Health and Children to outline to the Dáil the implications of this axing of an essential service for other hospitals both within the region and throughout the State.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, that this House debate the consumption of a medicinally unproved and unlicensed substance by a large proportion of the citizens of this State; the lack of awareness of those forced to consume the product of the side effects resulting from its consumption; and the necessity for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, to be immediately required to stop issuing this drug, namely fluorosilic acid, which is added to the piped public water supply thus forcing its consumption by unsuspecting members of the public, especially at a time when better options are available.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the need to provide safe walking and cycling routes in designated tourist areas for locals and visitors alike, the need for which was underlined by recent tragic deaths of two girls in Avoca, County Wicklow.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance requiring urgent consideration, namely, the mounting job losses across the State, particularly following the announcement yesterday of the closure of Navan Carpets with the loss of 200 jobs and Powerscreen Limited in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, with the loss of another 118 jobs; the increasing job losses in the Gweedore area of Donegal including the fact that 190 jobs at the Comeram plant are under threat, and what plans, if any, the Government has to deal with rising unemployment and what urgent measures it proposes to take to alleviate the hardship that hundreds of families across Ireland are being plunged into on an almost weekly basis.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of grave national urgency and concern, namely, the VHI's application for an 8.5% increase in premiums for their 1.5 million subscribers, raising the annual premium for an average family of two parents and two children to €1,272, representing a 50% hike since 2001, and thus contributing enormously to the fuelling of medical cost inflation; and the Minister's almost immediate favourable response to the VHI application with his recommendation to this morning's Cabinet meeting that the increase be approved on the basis that he was anticipating a VHI application for an 18% increase in premiums whereas he should have been seeking a moderation in the VHI rate of increase.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, in light of the decision by the British authorities to terminate their rail franchise contract with Connex UK, it is imperative that the Minister for Transport inform the House of the assurances he has received and the action he intends to take to ensure that Luas is operated in a manner which will best serve the people of Dublin.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the increase of 8.5% in Voluntary Health Insurance premium which brings the total increase to almost 50% since 2001 at a time when in-hospital stay has decreased by 50%.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the need for the Government to institute controls on foreign forces testing and training in the use of military devices on Irish soil where such devices are not authorised for use by the Defence Forces or the Garda—
(Interruptions).
I specifically mentioned foreign forces. This should be done to prevent the recurrence of incidents such as that where US embassy military personnel recently fired a crowd control weapon containing CN gas near firing ranges in the Curragh.
Was the Deputy there?
Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.