Before coming to the Order of Business I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 31.
Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the total disillusionment of both politicians and the voting public with the political system, according to the findings of the final report of the Democracy Commission; an examination of mandatory voting systems prevailing in other countries, which enhance democracy and minimise voting fraud; the dissatisfaction of public bodies due to ministerial appointments of their members; the urgent necessity for diminution of political influence on political bodies through the establishment of an independent advisory board as applies to judicial appointments; the devolution of enhanced powers to local government; and the inclusion of political education programmes at all levels in the education system.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the need for the Minister for Transport and the Government to allocate sufficient early and guaranteed multi-annual funding to allow Iarnród Éireann and the Railway Procurement Agency to quickly proceed with long awaited plans to provide a public transport solution for 100,000 people living in the Dublin Mid-West constituency, including a DART-style service on the existing Dublin-Cork rail line, a new metro across the River Liffey and a Luas service, given the importance of this investment in offering alternatives to gridlock in Clondalkin, Lucan and Palmerstown as well as the positive opportunities it would provide for other parts of the country to link up with Dublin city centre and the airport.
What about Newcastle, Saggart and Rathcoole and the rest of the constituency?
Will the Tánaiste sanction the investment? When will she approve it?
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the imminent danger of industrial action at An Post arising from unresolved difficulties, with the distinct possibility of the termination of services with negative consequences for the consumer, the economy and postal workers and the urgent need for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to engage in meaningful discussions with a view to bringing about an early resolution.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the necessity for the Government to end its abstentionist policy on GM products and to implement the safeguard clause, as provided for in the EU Directive 2001/18/EC, in line with the unanimous decision in support of Ireland being GM-free by the Oireachtas Joint Committees on European Affairs and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and that this action be taken before time runs out at the end of this month, given that a live and viable seed, GT73, which is genetically modified rapeseed oil, could germinate here, ending our commercially advantageous and ecologically sensitive GM-free status, and be legally imported as of next month.
Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.