Results 181-200 of 349 for speaker:Tom Morrissey

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 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: Pension Provisions: Statements. (18 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister to the House and congratulate him on his appointment to this new portfolio. I also thank Senators, particularly Senator Terry, who made the case for this debate. I agree with Senator O'Toole. People have stopped putting money into pensions and have put that money into housing because of the difference in returns in the past 15 years. That is why the housing boom has had...

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: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: Some weeks ago I spoke in this House about the political mugging I witnessed at an Oireachtas transport committee meeting. I suppose the chickens came home to roost less than 48 hours ago and Mr. Willie Walsh and his colleagues will no longer be part of the management team.

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: The management team will no longer be there to kick around. The position of the Progressive Democrats is that a decision must be made on the future of Aer Lingus. Some people, including the unions, believe that the job is over because Aer Lingus was saved from bankruptcy. The job is just beginning in terms of driving the airline forward in order to continue to compete. This House must ensure...

Seanad: Order of Business. (17 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: There was more discussion at the transport committee about the shamrock than about Aer Lingus customers and how the airline was selling itself. The Irish people are flying much more than they have ever done. As an island nation, Ireland has not lost out in the European and world context, and we must move on from this hang-up with a national airline.

Seanad: Special Educational Needs. (10 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: I wish to share my time with Senator O'Toole. I welcome the Minister for Education and Science to the House. Perseverance pays off because this is the fourth time I have submitted this matter over recent weeks and I am delighted it is being taken tonight. I hope the Minister has a good reply to it. Seldom since I became a public representative, either on my local authority or in the Seanad,...

Seanad: Competitiveness and Consumer Protection Policy: Statements. (10 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State to the House, and congratulate him on his promotion. I also thank the Minister, Deputy Martin, for his contribution. Senator Ryan spoke of a compassionate model and said we should not look 3,000 miles away, or to our nearest neighbour who does not have a model to show us either. The model of a successful economy is the country in which we live. This country has...

Seanad: Competitiveness and Consumer Protection Policy: Statements. (10 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: Competition is not evident in all areas, but it is in many. I witness it on a daily basis. With regard to telecommunications, not a month goes by without my business receiving a call from a telecommunications provider offering lower charges. I have lower charges year on year by changing providers, not by being loyal to one. On a monthly basis, we are asked by telecommunications providers to...

Seanad: Competitiveness and Consumer Protection Policy: Statements. (10 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: The NCC's benchmarking exercise has raised many interesting issues. The council acknowledges the tremendous success of the Irish economy over recent years, much of which can be attributed to the success of policies taken by Government. For example, the benchmarking exercise ranked Ireland second after the US out of 16 countries in terms of GDP per capita above Switzerland and Denmark; first...

Seanad: Competitiveness and Consumer Protection Policy: Statements. (10 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: The international benchmarking exercise suggests that, on aggregate, Government policies proved a significant competitive advantage to firms operating in Ireland. Our key strengths are apparent. Ireland's standard rate of corporate tax, 12.5%, is the lowest out of 16 countries and has been a key factor in Ireland's success in attracting high levels of inward direct investment over the past decade.

Seanad: Competitiveness and Consumer Protection Policy: Statements. (10 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: On the issue of taxation, the council commends Government on changes to the structure of the Irish tax system, and in particular the lowering of direct taxes on both personal income and corporate profits. These changes have supported competitiveness and have been important factors behind our economic success over the past 15 years. Ireland is ranked as one of the most open economies in the...

Seanad: Competitiveness and Consumer Protection Policy: Statements. (10 Nov 2004)

Tom Morrissey: The report ranked Ireland as the most expensive country in the euro zone, on a par with Finland, and significantly more expensive than the next group of euro zone countries. In the area of taxation policy, the council points to the need to reinforce and sustain the advantages which our taxation system has generated for the economy, growth and employment over the past 15 years. I agree with...