I have received notice from Senator Fidelma Healy Eames of a motion she wishes to raise under Standing Order 30. I call on her to give notice of the motion before I give my ruling.
Requests to move Adjournment of Seanad Under Standing Order 30
I the seek the adjournment of the Seanad to discuss a specific and important matter of public interest which has arisen suddenly in recent days. Seanad Éireann should call on the Minister for Health and-or the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to give top priority accommodation status to women who find themselves pregnant and homeless in order that the relevant agencies can provide them with immediate supportive accommodation; to ensure an immediate and appropriate supportive accommodation response for the 17 women who find themselves homeless and pregnant in Dublin at this time; and to ensure such accommodation would be stable and fit for purpose when their babies arrived. I draw particular attention to the urgency surrounding one homeless young woman who is 22 years old and due to give birth within the next few days. I thank the House for considering this request under Standing Order 30 as a matter of public interest which has arisen suddenly. It is the first time I have called for such a motion to be taken under this provision. I would appreciate Senators' support. Please God, the young women concerned will have had their babies by the time we come back after the summer recess. They need accommodation. They do not need to be thrown out at 9 a.m. every day.
Having given careful consideration to the matter raised by the Senator, I do not consider it to be one contemplated by Standing Order 30. I regret, therefore, that I have to rule it out of order.
May I ask for a reason it is not considered to be in order?
The matter has not arisen suddenly. It is on the Order Paper as it is.
It has arisen suddenly. I placed it on the Order Paper on Monday.
As it is on the Order Paper, it has not arisen suddenly. There is there no doubt that it is a matter of public interest, but it has to be-----
I am proposing an amendment to the Order of Business.
The Senator cannot propose an amendment to the Order of Business.
We are mincing words.
I have made my ruling.
The House has worked against the people this week. I tabled a Commencement matter, but it was not addressed. The matter is on the Order Paper, but it has not been addressed. It is a disgrace.
I am dealing with it under Standing Order 30. It has not arisen suddenly and I have given my ruling.
Are we saying arising between Monday and Tuesday is not sudden?
I have made my ruling on the issue.
It is a disgrace.