An Cathaoirleach:   I have received notice from Senator Norris of a motion he wishes to raise under Standing Order 30. I call on the Senator to state the matter of which he has given notice before I give my ruling on it.
Senator David Norris: I seek the adjournment of the Seanad under Standing Order 30 to discuss a matter of public importance: the need for Seanad Éireann to discuss the terms of the IMF bailout, the involvement of the Oireachtas in its approval and democratic accountability to the people. A deal has been done over the heads of the people by a discredited Government, which has lost the support of the electorate, with unelected and unaccountable financial interests. I urge the Cathaoirleach to take into account the views of Dr. Krugman, the Nobel prize winning economist, who said: “These debts were incurred, not to pay for public programmes, but by private wheeler-dealers seeking nothing but their own profit.”
An Cathaoirleach: Senator, please.
Senator David Norris: “Yet, ordinary Irish citizens are now bearing the burden of these debts——
An Cathaoirleach: Senator, please.
Senator David Norris: ——or, to be more accurate, they are bearing a burden much larger than the debt because the spending cuts have caused a severe recession.”
An Cathaoirleach: I will adjourn the House if the Senator does not resume his seat.
Senator David Norris: “So, in addition——
An Cathaoirleach: The Senator submitted the detail of the matter he wished to raise and has now——
Senator David Norris: ——to taking on the banks’ debts, the Irish are suffering from plunging incomes and high unemployment.”
An Cathaoirleach: I will adjourn the House if the Senator does not resume his seat. I ask him to respect the Chair. What was submitted to me should have been stated, not the rant in which the Senator engaged.
Senator David Norris: I do not think it was a rant.
An Cathaoirleach: I have given careful consideration to the matter raised by the Senator and do not consider it to be one contemplated by Standing Order 30. I regret, therefore, that I have to rule it out of order. Furthermore, there is an amendment to the Order of Business seeking a debate on the matter today.
[18]Senator David Norris: It clearly demonstrates this House is a total farce. If it is not a matter of national importance, what on Earth is?
An Cathaoirleach: Will the Senator, please, resume his seat?
Senator David Norris: It is outrageous.
An Cathaoirleach: That is the Senator’s opinion.
Senator David Norris: I seek an explanation of why you do not think it is not a matter of national urgency. I appeal to you to rethink or advise the House——
An Cathaoirleach: There is an amendment to the Order of Business.
Senator David Norris: ——why it is not a matter of national urgency.
An Cathaoirleach: I ask the Senator to, please, resume his seat.
A Senator: Senator Norris is only seeking publicity.
Senator David Norris: We are in a really delicate situation.
An Cathaoirleach: Does the Senator want me to adjourn the House because of him?
Senator David Norris: I think the Cathaoirleach should adjourn House in order that he can reconsider his position because this is completely outrageous.
An Cathaoirleach: I call Senator Mullen on the Order of Business.
Senator David Norris: No wonder Senator O’Toole feels he has to withdraw——
An Cathaoirleach: That has nothing to do with this.
Senator David Norris: It is a complete and utter disgrace. It makes a farce of the Oireachtas.
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