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 wish to seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter of national and local importance, namely, the threatened closure of Seamount College in Kinvara, County Galway; and the refusal of the Minister for Education and Science to deal effectively with the threat of its closure; the lack of spare capacity in the other two secondary schools in the area, Gort Community School and Calasanctius College in Oranmore; the steps she intends to take to enable Seamount College to survive into the future; the need for the Minister to report to the House on her discussions with the Mercy Sisters; and the arrangements the Minister proposes to make to provide for an intake of first year students to Seamount College next September.
In accordance with the terms of Standing Order 31, I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the following matter of public interest: the urgent need for the Government to act with swiftness in order to ameliorate the deteriorated and unsafe condition of Galway's water supply that is causing intolerable distress to families in the city and various parts of the county; the need for capital moneys to be made available to Galway City Council and Galway County Council to enable them to upgrade their filtration systems; the need to ensure all requests for measures to prevent an outbreak in the future and any temporary measures that may need to be taken will be heard speedily and acted upon; and that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will allocate such necessary funding. In view of the importance of the issue, I hope the Ceann Comhairle will agree to this request.
Under the terms of Standing Order 31, I seek the suspension of business of the House to discuss the following matter of national importance: the contamination of the water supply of Galway city and surrounding areas with the parasite known as cryptosporidium, resulting in the contamination of water to 90,000 homes, over 100 reported cases of illness, including the hospitalisation of some, and the particular threat posed to those with weakened immune systems.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss a matter requiring urgent attention: the need for the Minister of State at the Department of Finance to develop Ormond Castle, Carrick-on-Suir as a significant heritage site, including the erection of a visitor centre, the provision of car and bus parking facilities and the need for the Minister of State to make a statement on the matter.
Under the terms of Standing Order 31, I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss a specific matter of urgent importance: that the Minister for Transport make a statement to the Dáil on the reasons for the major pile-up on the N7, M7 and M9 motorways yesterday and state whether there were adequate warning or reduce speed signs in operation during periods when there was fog yesterday morning and this morning.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss the decision by the Government not to reduce the fees paid to lawyers at the planning tribunal; the implications of this decision for the taxpayers of the State in terms of exorbitant costs into the future; and to afford the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform an opportunity to apologise to Dáil Éireann for his criticism of the costs of the tribunal when he set the level of fees.
It is not appropriate to go beyond the notice submitted to my office.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss a matter of national and local importance: that the majority of social and affordable housing units acquired by Kildare County Council have been small, two-bedroom apartments. The results of a Dublin City Council quality of life survey indicate that only 25% of apartment dwellers in Dublin still expect to be living in a flat in the future, a cause of great concern. I call on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to ensure the way in which Part V social and affordable housing is delivered is changed to track the number of units delivered but also the variety of housing types and sizes made available to applicants.
Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 31.