I have a notice from Senator Mick Lanigan regarding a motion of which he has given me notice under Standing Order 29. I now call on Senator Lanigan.
Request Under Standing Order 29.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I wish to move a motion for the Adjournment of the Seanad on a specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent consideration, the matter being:
That the Government immediately take steps to ensure that farmers who in good faith supplied cattle to Clover Meats are protected in the same manner as workers and financial and Government bodies.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by Senator Lanigan. I do not consider it a matter contemplated by Standing Order 29. I regret, therefore, that I have to rule it out of order.
Last week I attempted to raise a matter about Clover Meats which is allied to this particular matter. On that occasion it was considered that it was a matter of urgency, but no Minister could be made available to deal with the question. This week the question is more urgent. Farmers in the whole of the south-east have supplied cattle and goods in good faith to Clover Meats. Why should they not be protected in the same manner as the workers are protected? Why should the Government on every occasion be protected? The Government are protected in this area. Why should the supplier of goods not be protected? Every time a firm goes to the wall the Government take their stake out of it and it is no good to anybody. There are down the line firms and in this instance there are down the line farmers. There are down the line small business people who will go out of business. What is a motion of specific and important urgency if this is not one? This is not only a matter of local public interest requiring urgent consideration. It is a national matter of public interest.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
I have ruled on it and I will speak to you in my office when I leave the Chair.
I have to accept your ruling.
There is concern also felt for the farmers by those Senators who are being orderly in this House.
I accept the ruling of the Chair. In this instance I am not too sure who is in order today. It is not in order for the Government not to take this specific motion. I consider that they are more disorderly than I am in bringing up this motion.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
Senator Lanigan, you were in possession on item No. 1.