Results 181-200 of 349 for speaker:Tom Morrissey

Seanad: Dublin Port Tunnel. (9 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely, to the House. I have raised this issue on a number of occasions over the past two or three years. On 21 October last, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, on taking office said that the height of the port tunnel would not change and that this decision had been taken primarily on safety grounds. As a result...

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State to the House for this debate on rural transport policy. Sometimes when we speak about transport policy in this House, we seem to think primarily in terms of transport in Dublin. I note that all the speakers are from rural areas, except for the Minister of State and myself. I will not dwell on that aspect too much because it has been given a good airing so far....

Seanad: Physical Education Facilities. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister here for this Adjournment matter. It is ironic that I should raise this issue tonight because 12 or 13 years ago I had the honour of leading a march around Castleknock to get the Castleknock Community School built. At that time we were told there was no need for the 450 capacity school that became the major community school in Castleknock. A gym was built in the school...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I too wish to be associated with the praise for the Garda Síochána on the sterling work it has done in uncovering a great deal of activity that we have been invited to close our eyes to over a number of years and to believe the collective lie that such actions were not occurring. The suggestion that we take the easy option this time and do not spell out where we wish to go is wrong. The...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I wish to share time with Senator Ormonde.

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: The consistently positive news on employment in Ireland each quarter is no surprise given the favourable economic environment which the Government has created for economic growth and employment opportunities. Over the past seven years, in excess of 500,000 jobs have been created. The total number of persons employed is just short of a record 1.9 million. This equates to one person working for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Morrissey: The Government has put much effort and energy into road safety and I support the call for a debate on this issue. If we have reached a point where the enforcers of the law ask for a change in practice, it behoves us to listen to them. We no longer require anecdotal evidence as the gardaí themselves are calling the penalty points system into question. It is imperative to have a debate on this...

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I am pleased Senator Ross has put down this motion. It is amazing that any Member should claim to have heard me utter anything about open tolling and I defy them to produce any evidence to that effect. Neither I nor my party would be so reckless. The problem is that the M50 has been successful. We will never know the type of debate that would have taken place today had the forecasts upon...

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Morrissey: It is up to motorists to make the choice. Up to 800 cars per hour can go through the Eazy Pass booth, while only some 400 can move through the manual system and 600 under the pay system. There are actions that can be taken, therefore, to alleviate the current difficulties. The Minister of State has indicated the significant cost of upgrading the M50, involving money that will be forgone...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Like my party, I condemn the Gama construction company for the way it has treated its workers. I hope that when the Minister comes to the Seanad tomorrow he will clearly outline where the Department stands on this issue. I am an employer and have employed migrant labour. There is a section in the application form for work permits which deals with the number of hours per week and the rate of...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I support the calls for a debate on the Morris tribunal. For those of us who have followed it, the events unfolding there are disturbing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I apologise, a Chathaoirligh, I was referring to the interim report of the Morris tribunal. The recent publication of immigration policy by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform must be discussed in the House as it is an important issue. I ask the Leader to convey our wishes to the Minister on this matter. Last weekend's Progressive Democrats national conference debated road...

Seanad: Rights of Migrant Workers: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I thank Senator Leyden for giving me his speaking slot. I reassure him that we are not the major partner in Government.

Seanad: Rights of Migrant Workers: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I congratulate the Minister on the approach he has taken to the Gama issue. This matter must be examined. The report must be published in the interests of fairness to those employers who have employed migrant workers here and to those migrant workers who are providing an invaluable service. There is no doubt that rogue employers exist. The one aspect of this matter which puzzles me — I hope...

Seanad: Rights of Migrant Workers: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I want to see the figure that was entered for salary. It is only when we learn that figure that we will know the amount to which Gama workers are entitled, and what balance should be in these infamous accounts. I do not know of any small or medium-sized Irish company which has also engaged in this practice and I would be amazed if there are other people engaging in it. If they are doing so,...

Seanad: Port Development. (13 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Our ports are an essential element of our economic infrastructure, as they process 99% of the island's foreign trade. They are critical points not only for transport but also for the entire economy. Our economy is dependent largely on the proper operation of our ports. They operate at the...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: In recent years we have undergone an expensive process, called benchmarking, that was predicated upon reform in the Civil Service and public service. However, on 17 February 2005 there was a finding in the Department of Finance on skills shortages with regard to the recruitment of 26 people. The trade union IMPACT brought a case, which was not about the fact of skills shortages but who would...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: This exercise has cost us dearly and I ask that the Minister for Finance come into the House to explain in precise terms the reform that has been made.

Seanad: State Airports: Motion. (20 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I am delighted to have this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the Progressive Democrats to the needs of consumers in the aviation industry. This debate should leave no one in doubt that the interest of the consumer is our foremost concern. In the past, discourse on aviation policy and infrastructure was dominated by engineering and planning issues. It is really about what is best for...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I move: That Seanad Éireann —notes the commitment of the Government to take a comprehensive set of actions to address the rate of injuries and deaths on our roads; —acknowledges, specifically, the commitment of the Government to take measures to improve road safety and driver behaviour; —welcomes the work of Government Departments and agencies to address the serious issue of road...