Results 4,061-4,080 of 4,363 for speaker:Arthur Morgan

Job Losses. (4 May 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I thank Deputy Eamon Ryan for sharing time. I agree with the comments of the three previous speakers. My message is one of solidarity with the workers in Waterford Crystal, both in Dungarvan and Waterford city. These workers have been dumped disgracefully by the management of Waterford-Wedgewood. The jobs and massive salaries of top management are to be preserved and protected, while working...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I thank the Minister of State for taking on board a number of amendments in contravention of some of the long-standing traditions of the House which I am still learning. I hope to goodness I never come to terms with those traditions with which I want to wrestle for as long as I possibly can. It was fair play of the Minister of State. I assure him that when my colleagues and I assume his...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31. (4 May 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to debate the following urgent matter: the proposed closure of the Waterford Crystal factory at Dungarvan, County Waterford, with the loss of 485 jobs there and in Waterford city, and the need for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to intervene to prevent this devastating economic blow to the south east.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I sympathise with the position outlined by the Minister of State in terms of the definitive proposals to be brought forward by the Law Reform Commission. However, in the absence of the recommendations, I am disposed to supporting Deputy Howlin's amendment. I take on board the Minister of State's point that we should see what the Law Reform Commission will bring forward, but in the absence of...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I move amendment No. 53: In page 76, line 30, to delete "€3,000,000" and substitute "€10,000,000". The sum of €3 million could be little more than arse pocket money to some multinational corporations, which have a turnover of several billion euro.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Arthur Morgan: Back pocket money. The fine does not represent a proper deterrent. I do not know that the courts will employ it but I would prefer to give them the option of imposing a significant fine in these cases. The courts should be given that strength because if disciplinary proceedings are brought against these corporations and compensation sought, that is the way it should be done.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Arthur Morgan: The Minister of State made a reasonable point but my difficulty is that multinational corporations can afford modern day Perry Masons or whizz kid defence lawyers and the prosecution of all the offences often does not succeed. If the prosecution of only one offence succeeds, the court should at least have the opportunity to impose a significant fine on the defendant. Whizz kid lawyers in...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Arthur Morgan: We are not calling for ten-year sentences in all cases. It is a question of providing the courts with the option, and it is important that the courts should have the power to impose a heavier sentence than two years where appropriate. That facility should be provided.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I understand that other legislation generally refers to two years, but when was that legislation couched? Is it time for us to increase it? Perhaps instead of examining earlier legislation we should consider what the current situation requires, which is what this amendment does.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I take umbrage with——

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Arthur Morgan: In terms of good practice, I acknowledge the Minister of State's amendment to remove the chief executive officer from the board. That is a welcome move and is helpful to the Bill. It is not like me to be mischievous and to try to up the ante in regard to the 50%. If that impression has been created, let it rest lightly with the Minister of State. I am not opposed to Deputy Howlin's amendment...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I am disposed to praise the Minister of State yet again for his appointment of in excess of 40% of women to the board. However, I am reluctant to do so in case I get him sacked. I remind him of my earlier point that there are a few people in Cabinet who are, to say the least, wayward, if not bordering on the lunatic. Lunatics. Imagine the position if one of them came to the Chamber at this...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I move amendment No. 32: In page 44, between lines 45 and 46, to insert the following: "(3) The Minister shall ensure that not less that 50 per cent of the members of the Authority shall be women.". Amendment put and declared lost.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I move amendment No. 34: In page 49, line 15, to delete "may" and substitute "shall". Section 45 of the Bill states: In each year there may be paid to the Authority out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas a grant or grants of such amount or amounts as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determines for the purposes of expenditure by the Authority in performing its...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I thank Deputy Durkan for his support and I noted his reference to the Mullingar accord. We must bring the Deputy a bit closer and perhaps we can have an Ardee accord. The Minister of State said this amendment would represent an intrusion on the Oireachtas. On many occasions, a good intrusion is exactly what the Oireachtas needs. This is one such occasion. What better way is there of...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Arthur Morgan: What would be the consequences for a chief executive officer coming before an Oireachtas committee where he or she is expected to answer honestly a question put by the committee? If the opinion of the chief executive officer happened to be at variance with the policy of the Government of the day — which is an important qualification — what would be the consequences for the chief executive...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I have raised concerns about this section on Committee and Report Stages. It is essential that we recap briefly on this because it is a fundamentally important aspect of the Bill. Section 13(1)(c) deals with a very grey area and a number of questions remain unanswered. For example, what level of alcohol or other drug will be accepted within a person's system? Will it be some or none? What...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Arthur Morgan: What might happen if one of the headcases in Government were transferred to this Department? One can only imagine the consequences if the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform were let loose on section 13(1)(c). It does not bear thinking about the level of hassle that unfortunate employees could be subjected to under such conditions. I have fundamental reservations about section...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Arthur Morgan: A burdensome regulatory framework that is patently irrelevant to their circumstances could inhibit the self-employed. The weight of such legislation would act as a barrier to them commencing employment because they would be liable to inspection. That is not the intention of the legislation and therefore I support the amendment.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed). (26 Apr 2005)

Arthur Morgan: I move amendment No. 21: In page 30, line 39, after "annually" to insert ", upon commencing employment". This is a very straightforward amendment, which is loaded with common sense, as are all my amendments. Section 20(3) states: (3) Every employer shall bring the safety statement, in a form, manner and, as appropriate, language that is reasonably likely to be understood, to the attention...