May I interrupt you, Senator, for a moment to say that I have a request from Senator Neville in respect of a matter of urgent public importance under Standing Order 29. I call on Senator Neville to give notice of the motion before I give my ruling.
Request under Standing Order 29.
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 Seanad Éireann discuss the striking out of a murder charge in Cork yesterday because no solicitor would represent the person due to the ongoing dispute over free legal aid fees. I express the concern of the people of Cork and the country with regard to this. I understand that a further striking out of a charge of child sexual abuse has also taken place.
I have to say to the Senator that he is not entitled to elaborate. I have to give quite considerable thought to the matter the Senator has raised and I cannot consider it to be a matter which would be contemplated by Standing Order 29. I regret, therefore, I had to rule it out of order.
I had considered bringing this up on the Order of Business this morning but because of the change of rules and approach I felt that this was a more appropriate procedure.
I accept the point the Senator is making but I am saying it is not something which is contemplated by Standing Order 29. It may be appropriate in some other way.
Surely the striking out of a murder charge——
I have given my ruling which should not be challenged.
I wish to support Senator Neville.
It is a matter solely for the Senator who raised the issue.
It is a very serious matter.
I accept that but it is not contemplated by Standing Order 29.
The whole system of criminal justice is clogged up as a result of an ongoing dispute.
I am sorry. I accept the points made by both Senators but there are other ways of raising the matter. I ask Senator Pól Ó Foighil to resume on the Finance Bill.