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 raise a matter of national importance, namely, that there is no obligation on any State authority to inform the victims of the former national Olympic swimming coach of his imminent release from prison, together with the lack of consideration, concern and preparation for the impact his release will have on those who suffered horrific abuse as children. I am seeking that time be set aside to debate this important matter together with how to deal with the long delay in securing any monetary compensation for the victims.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the reason 24 people are on trolleys in Mayo General Hospital with serious health and safety issues arising as regards toilet facilities, lack of hot food — there is no more hot food for people on trolleys in Mayo General Hospital — spread of infection and unacceptable treatment facilities for older people some of whom are waiting on a trolley for a week — an 80 year old woman has been waiting on a trolley for the past three days to be treated for a heart attack——
It is a disgrace.
——which is a disgrace — and which is unacceptable for the patients of Mayo and for the nurses and staff who work under atrocious conditions and urgently need 40 more medical beds. Why will the Government not supply them?
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the need for the Minister for Health and Children to outline the process by which the location of the proposed new acute hospital in the north east will be decided and if there will be transparency, openness and clarity about the criteria used and direct access by the public to the consultants in order to exercise the absolute right in a democracy to input and express their views on this most important matter and that there will be political accountability at Cabinet level for this decision.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the failure of Dairygold Co-operative Society to pay its employees their weekly wages since early January 2007 and all outstanding claims at Mallow, County Cork.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the serious problem in which many dairy farmers find themselves with either quota for sale or wishing to buy quota while the Minister's new structures are blocking them from their legal right of free sale. It is urgent for many farmers who have their herds prepared for sale and have no clear indication of their future regarding the sale of their milk quota. It is equally frustrating for young farmers who, through ministerial technicalities, are refused the right to buy.
Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.