Results 41-60 of 349 for speaker:Tom Morrissey

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Apr 2003)

Tom Morrissey: Earlier in the week I asked the Leader to make time available after the Easter recess to discuss transport. Such a debate is now more urgent than ever, especially in view of the publication today of the strategic rail review. Moreover, the director of traffic in Dublin, Mr. Owen Keegan, has questioned the Minister's policy for a metro and he said that traffic congestion has been...

Seanad: Order of Business. (3 Apr 2003)

Tom Morrissey: One year into office, the Minister should lay down what he intends to do. I hope he will attend the House for a debate as quickly as possible.

Seanad: Crime Levels: Statements. (3 Apr 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I thank the Minister for the all-encompassing approach he is taking to the serious problem of crime. Every Member of the House will have experienced crime at a personal, family or community level. I recall leaving last year's All-Ireland football match and being confronted twice in the space of 20 yards for my mobile telephone.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Meal Vouchers. (15 Apr 2003)

Tom Morrissey: In 1958 a tax was introduced on benefits-in-kind but at that time canteens were excluded from the provision. However, because employees earning less than £1,500 at the time were not liable to benefit-in-kind tax, employees on an ordinary wage were not affected. As inflation increased, however, the £1,500 limit did not and, therefore, more ordinary workers became liable to pay the tax.

Seanad: Order of Business. (7 May 2003)

Tom Morrissey: Before the Easter recess, I asked the Leader to ask the Minister for Transport to come into the House. At that time the transport situation was serious but it has now reached an even more alarming stage in that the Director of Traffic recently told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport that the figures forecast for traffic in Dublin in 2016 have already been realised. If that is the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Housing Grants. (7 May 2003)

Tom Morrissey: It is ironic that I raise this issue on the Adjournment, given that, some months ago, the House debated the issue of the first-time buyer's grant, the level of house building taking place and the exorbitant prices involved. As a councillor, I was involved in the rezoning of land for housing ten years ago. These lands have now become an area of high density housing. Residents are now living in...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (14 May 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I congratulate the Minister for Transport on his performance in regard to road safety. His initiative in bringing in penalty points has been an outstanding success. It has saved lives and prevented injuries. It has made our roads safer for all those who use them. The introduction of penalty points is an excellent example of Government working for the people. Many people put forward various...

Seanad: Strategic Rail Review Report: Statements (Resumed). (21 May 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I compliment the Minister on coming to the House so quickly after his visit here last week. I particularly compliment him on his speech, to some aspects of which I wish to refer. On the greater Dublin area, he said Iarnród Éireann should be aiming at a "turn up and go" attitude. I would be pleased to see that happen as that is what is needed. When one considers the awesome figures about to...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Public Transport. (22 May 2003)

Tom Morrissey: It has been brought to my attention by Dublin Bus and residents in the far flung new suburbs of Dublin West that following the decision by the Minister for Transport to franchise a percentage of the Dublin Bus system to create competition, with which I agree, the delay and the manner in which new licences are offered are difficult to understand. Residents of one estate have told me that after...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters. - Mental Health Services. (29 May 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, for coming to the House today to give a report on unit 9 of James Connolly Memorial Hospital which is due to be relocated to a new purpose built hospital. I also raised this matter in February at which time I was informed by the Minister that a snag list was being compiled and due to be discussed the...

Seanad: Dublin Traffic Congestion: Motion. (11 Jun 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I move: That Seanad Éireann recognises the severe social and economic problems caused by traffic congestion in Dublin and expresses its support for a range of measures to alleviate the problem, including (i) the invitation of tenders as soon as possible for the construction of the first phase of a comprehensive metro system for the city, (ii) the use of public private partnership as the...

Seanad: Dublin Traffic Congestion: Motion. (11 Jun 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I thank the Minister of State for his summary of the debate. In tabling this motion, the Progressive Democrats sought to have the Minister of State come before the House to put on record the route it is intended to take in respect of transport. We are endeavouring to adopt European models of best practise and value for money. We know that traffic congestion is costing us money. We also know...

Seanad: Dublin Traffic Congestion: Motion. (11 Jun 2003)

Tom Morrissey: With regard to putting 20% of Dublin Bus services out to franchise, Members on this side of the House are not talking about dismantling Dublin Bus; we are concerned with competition and value. During the past four years, Dublin Bus increased the service on the No. 37 route from ten to 18 buses but, because of infrastructural problems, it is still carrying the same number of people. The time...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Tom Morrissey: The Bill is a welcome measure and marks a new beginning for the control of our taxi, hackney and limousine services. Thanks to the actions of the previous Government, and in particular those of the former Minister of State, Bobby Molloy, in pursuing this issue to ensure that more taxis are operating, the industry has grown considerably. Over 11,000 taxis are now plying their trade in Dublin,...

Seanad: Taxi Regulation Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Jun 2003)

Tom Morrissey: The Bill, however, is looking to the future in trying to marry taxi services with the general public transport sector. There is a huge market for such services. The Bill updates previous legislation and provides for a commission for taxi regulation as well as an advisory council. The Minister will still have the authority to examine what is happening in the taxi sector, and the Oireachtas...

Seanad: Benchmarking: Motion. (8 Oct 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I second the amendment moved by Senator Mansergh. The Progressive Democrats accept that the benchmarking agreement is a solemn, binding contract between the Government and the social partners. If we were to walk away from the deal at this stage, we would be inviting the unions which represent thousands of public and civil servants to hold the Government in breach of contract and we would have...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Tom Morrissey: The Minister of State has been here a few times during the past 12 months and I welcome him here again to hear our discussion on transport. I plead with him to take into account that the Progressive Democrats believe there are too many agencies interlinking with the various local authorities in the transport area in Dublin. There are breakdowns in communication which lead to lengthy time...

Seanad: Public Transport: Motion. (15 Oct 2003)

Tom Morrissey: We have to continue investing in our rail service across Dublin and in a metro. We will not get traffic moving freely without a metro, given the levels of car ownership and employment in the city. We should not have to wait seven or ten years for this. Building the metro in Madrid caused far less disruption there than building Luas has done here. Our systems and our methods to date have been...

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Oct 2003)

Tom Morrissey: Last week Senator Tuffy made a call for the Members of this House to try to strengthen our links with local authorities. I agree with that and call for a debate or at least statements on the matter as soon as possible.

Seanad: Order of Business. (16 Oct 2003)

Tom Morrissey: Will the political parties in this House strengthen local government?