Results 161-180 of 349 for speaker:Tom Morrissey

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (18 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: ——but the former Minister for Finance, Mr. McCreevy, proved he was the real socialist by establishing the national pensions reserve fund and putting this money away. At the last election the Opposition said it would raid this fund and reduce the amount being paid in.

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (18 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: When one reads the Minister's speech, its importance for the future is clear. The former Minister did this State some service.

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (18 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: Pensions are about the future.

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (18 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: In the national pensions reserve fund, the Minister established a body that should not be altered by future Governments, it should be supplemented.

Seanad: Pension Provisions: Statements. (18 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: A national campaign to address the dependency ratio is necessary. The years to 2056, over which a reduction will take place in the ratio of working people for every one retired, from 5:1 to 2:1, is the equivalent of only one generation. That spells disaster. Some people will be very well looked after with defined benefits, which I wish I had. Senator O'Toole spoke about the different kinds of...

Seanad: Road Network: Motion. (24 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: I second the amendment moved by Senator Dooley. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, to the House for this important debate and I await his comments. Senator Paddy Burke spoke about the possibility of developing a railway line between Navan and Dublin. There was some good news for the County Meath area when the Book of Estimates was published last week. The provision of €60...

Seanad: Aer Lingus: Statements. (2 Dec 2004)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister to the House for this timely debate. It is timely because a decision must soon be made on where the Government stands on the issue. A comment recently made by Mr. Willie Walsh at the Joint Committee on Transport finds common sentiment with what the Minister said today. The Minister said the global aviation sector is in serious difficulty. That was Mr. Walsh's opening...

Seanad: Aer Lingus: Statements. (2 Dec 2004)

Tom Morrissey: I am sorry; I should have referred to Ryanair. Ryanair does not need to wait long for a decision as to where it might invest as has been evidenced by its recent announcement with the authority at Shannon Airport. The unbundling of the airport authorities only took place three or four months ago against the wishes of many in this House. We have now seen what competition can do. Competition...

Seanad: Aer Lingus: Statements. (2 Dec 2004)

Tom Morrissey: They could not be provided based on the level of customers now using that airport. Aer Lingus will again need to refocus itself following this week's announcement. Nine additional flights out of Shannon will put further stress on Aer Lingus operating from Dublin. Such are the decisions the management team needs to confront on a daily basis. Until the Government makes a decision, management...

Seanad: Aer Lingus: Statements. (2 Dec 2004)

Tom Morrissey: It continued that the Government has not got the stomach for the further cost and job cutting envisaged, let alone full-scale privatisation with or without the executives. If that is how others in the sector see us, what type of investors and management will be attracted without a clear decision in the short term?

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Second Stage. (9 Dec 2004)

Tom Morrissey: I rushed to the House but Members will be pleased to hear I was not driving. I welcome the Bill. It contains many issues about which I am concerned. One issue of concern relates to fixed penalty charges and when, where and how they are imposed and recorded. When penalty points are imposed, there is no collation of the information relating to time, location or zone. We do not know how many...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Second Stage. (9 Dec 2004)

Tom Morrissey: I do not know if they are even taxed. There are thousands of them on the roads. I personally know of foreign nationals who fly home to bring back cars across the Continent from Latvia or wherever else. They probably have some type of insurance but I very much doubt if it is adequate. I welcome the introduction of metric standardisation on road traffic signs. I hope for an improvement in the...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (14 Dec 2004)

Tom Morrissey: Like other Senators, I support the sentiment that is contained in this amendment. There is mention in the Bill of careless, thoughtless and dangerous driving. Unauthorised use of disabled parking spaces constitutes undue consideration for the motorists who require those spaces. I require clarification on one issue. If an increased fine or a penalty point is introduced for this behaviour, will...

Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (15 Dec 2004)

Tom Morrissey: I thank the Minister of State for introducing this Bill so early in his term of office and for being successful in having it passed. It contains many important provisions regarding the metrification of road traffic signs and fixed penalty charges. What the Minister of State has done is good. The level of traffic and the number of deaths on our roads must be kept to the fore. We must ensure...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002: Second Stage [Resumed]. (27 Jan 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Waiting for the punchline.

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Let us consider the issue of tolling and Government policy. Tolling has recently received widespread media coverage because of the increase in toll charges on the M50. I would like the House to debate the purpose and location of toll booths across the country. Only yesterday at the M3 inquiry did we hear that there will be a toll booth located on the approach road to a park and ride facility...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (2 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: It gives me great pleasure to second the motion on behalf of the Progressive Democrats. It is timely the motion comes before the House as we were proud to have the Taoiseach to the House shortly before Christmas for a good debate on Northern Ireland. However, it is hard to believe, ten years into the so-called peace process, that my party can list 14 points on this motion which could not be...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (2 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: He had to listen to a person being called from the floor as a fraternal delegate to speak to the Ard-Fheis on behalf of the prisoners of war in Castlerea Prison. At that time 12 IRA members and three INLA members were in detention there, all convicted by the Irish courts for crimes committed in the Republic, including five convicted in connection with the killing of Detective Garda Jerry...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion. (2 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: One must accept that if a member of that police force is shot, it is a crime. Until Sinn Féin understands what criminality is, including murder, I do not think we should have much further truck with these people. The bottom line is that murder — a bullet in head — is a crime. That is something that Gerry Adams and his associates must understand when it comes to dealing with democrats.

Seanad: Order of Business. (8 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Will the Leader organise an urgent debate with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, on the recent and welcome comments by the Taoiseach on traffic congestion on the M50? This upgrading will not solve Dublin's traffic problems. We need to consider a location for an outer ring road. I have been considering that for years, but local councils around Dublin have not been doing so. I am sure...