Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31 from Deputies Connolly, Morgan and Ferris. I will call 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 Dáil Éireann under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following matter of urgent national and local concern: the catastrophic effects of the very severe cutbacks in the number of beds being subvented in the Cavan-Monaghan area – the number is to be reduced from 240 to 180; the effect of this on the ageing Cavan-Monaghan population; the fact that a 99 year old resident has been placed on a waiting list for a nursing home subvention; and the reduction of 88,000 hours of home help in the North Eastern Health Board area.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following specific and important matter of public interest: that the consequences of the Hanly report will be catastrophic to the ability of those living in County Louth to access proper medical care; that the report, if implemented, will mean the further downgrading of Louth County Hospital and, particularly, the closure of accident and emergency services; that due to the population figures of 345,000 in the North Eastern Health Board area the residents of County Louth face the prospect of having to travel to Cavan General Hospital for treatment; and the necessity to ensure all citizens have access to full, proper, medical services and do not face discrimination on the basis of their geographical location.
I seek leave to adjourn the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the plight of the fishermen of the Irish Sea and the need for the authorities on both parts of the island and in Britain to plan a co-ordinated approach involving the fishermen and taking into account the fact that the scientific data responsible for the current conservation plans are called into question by fishermen who claim that stocking levels are far higher than officially reported.
Having considered the matters raised, I do not consider them to be ones contemplated by Standing Order 31 and, therefore, cannot grant leave to move the motions.