Results 221-240 of 349 for speaker:Tom Morrissey

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (Indemnities) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State and I commend him for acting quickly and comprehensively by bringing the legislation before the House. We have had many debates on aviation over the past years and the risks to the aviation sector have been highlighted because of its cyclical nature and the problems associated with investment. However, without the indemnities provided for in the legislation,...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (Indemnities) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for coming here today at such short notice and enacting this Bill. I welcome the Minister of State's comment that he hoped he would not have to return to this House to explain the application of this Bill because it has emergency status and is very technical in nature.

Seanad: Health Services. (28 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to discuss this issue. My concerns relate to a health centre in Castleknock. My understanding is that the centre might not have a sufficient number of dentists to deal with emergencies and routine treatment of children in the area. I ask the Minister of State to consider that in the light of my concerns. I have written to the Health Service...

Seanad: Health Services. (28 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I wish to share time with Senator Ormonde. I support the motion, which covers many issues in the debate, including the consumer strategy group, the new national consumer agency, the national and local decision making process, consumer advocacy procedures, the high level interdepartmental committee and a public consultation process. However, the kernel of the debate is price, which determines...

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Uniquely, consumers believe the price they pay is too high as do suppliers who cannot pass on the bulk discounts. This issue of bulk discounts should be examined, given that competition has resulted in lower prices in many sectors of the economy. The great detractors in the debate believe small stores will close if the order is abolished. I live in an expanding area in west Dublin, which used...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Over the past few months, the Irish Exporters Association and many others have made the case that Dublin Port will shortly experience capacity issues in bringing imports in and getting our exports off the island. Discussions are ongoing as to how capacity issues can be resolved and whether Dublin Port should increase its size or look elsewhere for development. One of our best kept national...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I would welcome a debate in the House on the issue. While I do not like to hear comments from unions describing a race to the bottom, the process in question is certainly taking that direction.

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Next April, the Dublin Port tunnel will hopefully be opened. This tunnel has cost much money, but the number of cars using it will possibly be severely limited because of excessive proposed toll costs. More important, the tunnel will not take all the trucks coming to and going from this country. For the benefit of using the tunnel, the haulage industry will pay some €20 million to National...

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: ——on the N2, there is a sign "low bridge ahead". The low bridge is 4.9 m in height. Will there be a sign "low tunnel ahead" leading into the tunnel because the tunnel is 4.65 m?

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: At a time when the M50 is being upgraded and the M50 consortium will take in an extra €20 million, what is the Department of Transport doing in regard to traffic congestion and the height of vehicles entering and exiting the country?

Seanad: Employment Rights. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I appreciate the opportunity to raise one of the most important issues facing our economy which also challenges our sense of social justice. This is about protecting workers, Irish and foreign, and about protecting families, our economy and our sense of social fairness. I refer to the current crisis at Irish Ferries. I can hardly overstate my concern and that of the Progressive Democrats at...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: It was reported yesterday on a Dublin local radio station that the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely, had a think-in with many people ——

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: He had a think-in with all of the experts that have given us gridlock in Dublin in recent years. I was surprised by one of the items reported, that consideration was being given to removing some widened footpaths and mini-roundabouts that have been put into many housing estates in Dublin, at a cost of millions of euro. Such facilities were intended to force motorists out of Dublin, which is...

Seanad: Order of Business. (6 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I agree with my colleague, Senator O'Toole, that we need a debate on Irish Ferries. I raised the issue on the Adjournment of the House last night, and while I appreciate the response from the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, we would all benefit from a wide-ranging discussion on where we are going with Irish Ferries.

Seanad: Clare Street Traffic Management Initiative: Statements. (11 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: There is little in this initiative with which anybody could disagree. However, I will go further and state that since I became a public representative in the early 1990s I understood the Dublin Transportation Office, DTO, existed and we had to bow and genuflect to it. Nothing would happen in Dublin or the region without having the nod and wink and agreement of the DTO and that is how I...

Seanad: Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (12 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I thank my former constituency colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, for coming to the House this evening. I am grateful that this matter is being discussed on the Adjournment. As my query is quite simple, I will be brief. The Government is to be commended on its efforts to continue to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in Irish schools. I understand that maximum class size...

Seanad: Pupil-Teacher Ratio. (12 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I decided that it was a lost cause.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Two nights ago, this House had a debate on the Clare Street initiative by the Department of Transport. This was welcome because it at least gave Members some indication as to the Department's intentions in respect of transport and gridlock issues. This morning, I travelled to Pearse station from Castleknock on the 8.20 a.m. suburban train. I can safely state that nowhere else in the western...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I ask the Acting Leader to try to arrange a meeting with the Minister for Transport with regard to the status of the five year strategic plan submitted by Irish Rail 12 months ago. After 12 months, why is there no indication of when our railways will receive proper investment? When will we seriously address the issue of gridlock? The situation is appalling. I, a Member of this side of the...