Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 32. I will call Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.
Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the plight of families who are prevented from cutting turf on their own bogs after centuries and who are now deprived access to this natural resource at a time of financial stress and increasing costs of alternative fuels. Furthermore that an inquiry be held into suggestions that designated bogs have deteriorated by 35% in the past ten years which was not caused by ordinary people cutting turf for their own use and for which blame is attempted to be applied by disallowing the use of their own natural resource.
Ba mhaith liom cead a lorg chun an Dáil a chur ar athló chun an ábhar ríthábhachtach náisiúnta seo a leanas a phlé: the failure to consider reinstating the Christmas bonus to social welfare recipients, which was received in other years, considering the crippling hardship which will be visited on them and the irreversible damage that will be done to the local economy as a result of the cuts. Most low income families shop locally and many will be forced into the hands of unscrupulous moneylenders if the payment is not reinstated. It is paramount the Government prioritises the needs of those who are already in financial difficulty at this time of year.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the delay by the Government in the roll-out of privatised speed cameras, which is leading to an increased number of collisions throughout the country, with resultant fatalities and serious injuries.
I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to discuss a matter of urgent national importance, namely, in light of the disclosure of the existence of a report on the reconfiguration of maternity services, which places a direct threat over the future of existing services at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, there is an urgent need for the Minister for Health and Children and the Government to outline in detail the consequences of these proposals for the transfer and relocation of this vital local service from this hospital.
I seek the adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 to discuss a matter of urgent national importance, namely, in light of the threat that hangs over local maternity services, including those at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, as a result of a national report on the reconfiguration of such services, there is an immediate need to publish the report in full and have its contents debated in the House without further delay.
Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 32.