Results 301-320 of 349 for speaker:Tom Morrissey

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: 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: 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: 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: 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. (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: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2003)

Tom Morrissey: Will the Leader make time available for a wide ranging discussion on transport in view of the intervention of the Minister for Finance which came to our attention over the weekend? He believes some of the transport projects and proposals coming before Cabinet are unrealistic. There are many projects which require decisions. We are aware of the impending break-up of CIE. Today permission was...

Seanad: Order of Business. (1 Apr 2003)

Tom Morrissey: There are many projects which we need to debate with the Minister. I urge the Leader to make time available for such a debate after the recess.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (1 Apr 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I have used the permit system and seen how it can be abused. There is a huge market in forged permits. I presume the Minister is well aware of that. With such a draconian system in place, employers are already aware that this legislation is serious and that they had better not mess around with it. I welcome the legislation because it will be so strong that people will not contravene it once...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Apr 2003)

Tom Morrissey: The only issuing authority for a permit is the Department which issues a permit in the name of the employer. It is unlikely an employer will inadvertently receive a hoax permit. Hoax permits are black and white copies of the original green, stamped form. I have seen them and it is obvious they are photocopies of doctored permits. An employer can only receive a permit if he or she has applied...

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages. (1 Apr 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I wish to be associated with the remarks made about the Minister and his staff in regard to the Bill. I want to record this country's appreciation of the people who come here, their work ethic and the major contribution they make and will continue to make to this economy over the coming years.

Seanad: Employment Permits Bill 2003: Second Stage. (27 Mar 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I very much welcome this Bill. I am delighted that the Minister has given us such a comprehensive overview and understanding of the history involved, as well as where we are going. No one in this House would have thought ten, 15 or 20 years ago that we would speaking about this subject today. What we had been speaking about for years was emigration and parents asking where they could find...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

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

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (21 Mar 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, and thank him for staying for the duration of the debate. I have listened carefully to the remarks of the Opposition and of the spokespersons for the various anti-war groups. It is time to stand back and take a common sense view. We are not waging war on Iraq. No Irish troops will ever be involved in an attack on Iraq. We are not, despite the...

Seanad: Suicide Incidence: Statements. (27 Feb 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for his statement on this sad subject. I offer my sympathy to all families of suicide victims. I am sure everybody in the House has had a relative, friend or family friend who has committed suicide. Research on suicide is as old as the human race, yet it remains inconclusive. We have heard figures for urban, rural and international...

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Feb 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I had indicated I wanted to speak.

Seanad: Health Services: Motion. (26 Feb 2003)

Tom Morrissey: I want to make one or two points. I reiterate the comments of Senator Dardis in thanking the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, for staying so long this evening and for giving such a great outline of his activities in the Department. No company, industry or sector in this society could grow at the level at which this Department has been growing – when one looks at the figures mentioned here...