Results 121-140 of 349 for speaker:Tom Morrissey

Seanad: Order of Business. (5 Oct 2005)

Tom Morrissey: At a time when the M50 is being upgraded and the M50 consortium will take in an extra €20 million, what is the Department of Transport doing in regard to traffic congestion and the height of vehicles entering and exiting the country?

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Over the past few months, the Irish Exporters Association and many others have made the case that Dublin Port will shortly experience capacity issues in bringing imports in and getting our exports off the island. Discussions are ongoing as to how capacity issues can be resolved and whether Dublin Port should increase its size or look elsewhere for development. One of our best kept national...

Seanad: Order of Business. (29 Sep 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I would welcome a debate in the House on the issue. While I do not like to hear comments from unions describing a race to the bottom, the process in question is certainly taking that direction.

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I wish to share time with Senator Ormonde. I support the motion, which covers many issues in the debate, including the consumer strategy group, the new national consumer agency, the national and local decision making process, consumer advocacy procedures, the high level interdepartmental committee and a public consultation process. However, the kernel of the debate is price, which determines...

Seanad: National Consumer Agency: Motion. (29 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Uniquely, consumers believe the price they pay is too high as do suppliers who cannot pass on the bulk discounts. This issue of bulk discounts should be examined, given that competition has resulted in lower prices in many sectors of the economy. The great detractors in the debate believe small stores will close if the order is abolished. I live in an expanding area in west Dublin, which used...

Seanad: Health Services. (28 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State to the House to discuss this issue. My concerns relate to a health centre in Castleknock. My understanding is that the centre might not have a sufficient number of dentists to deal with emergencies and routine treatment of children in the area. I ask the Minister of State to consider that in the light of my concerns. I have written to the Health Service...

Seanad: Health Services. (28 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I thank the Minister.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (Indemnities) Bill 2005: Committee and Remaining Stages. (16 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I thank the Minister of State and his officials for coming here today at such short notice and enacting this Bill. I welcome the Minister of State's comment that he hoped he would not have to return to this House to explain the application of this Bill because it has emergency status and is very technical in nature.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (Indemnities) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (16 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State and I commend him for acting quickly and comprehensively by bringing the legislation before the House. We have had many debates on aviation over the past years and the risks to the aviation sector have been highlighted because of its cyclical nature and the problems associated with investment. However, without the indemnities provided for in the legislation,...

Seanad: Order of Business. (2 Jun 2005)

Tom Morrissey: On 1 June 2003, the Department of Transport indicated it would introduce new regulations regarding safety precautions for motor cyclists. Two years have passed since this indication. I understand a consultative group was established at the time. It made its report but it was never published and seems to have got lost in the sands. I raise this matter because motorcycles represent...

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister to the House for this debate. Recently I met a Dublin businessman who employs 50 people in a medium-sized industry. He informed me that 20 years ago if one of his machines broke down in Dublin he would be forced to wait until the following day to book an Aer Lingus flight to Birmingham, stay overnight and fly back the next day. His machine would then need to be...

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: This is what the unions were prepared to do. It was not to be at a price less than the price for that job in Dublin Airport today — it was at the same price for that job — there was no race to the bottom as we often hear. However, the price to be requested was greater efficiency. I will give an example of such efficiency. Dublin Airport has 140 check-in desks. Some 20 of them, 17%, are...

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: —— and which is very volatile, cyclical and risky? We in the Progressive Democrats wholeheartedly support an equity stake of considerably more than 50% in Aer Lingus. Only then can Aer Lingus fight the good fight.

Seanad: Aviation Action Plan: Statements. (31 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I am saying from 50% up to 60%. The Minister said the Government would retain 25% and there is a further 15% for the staff. If 40 is subtracted from 100, it leaves 60, and a majority stake is anywhere between 50% and 60%. It is only then that Aer Lingus can take its hands from behind its back, where they have been tied for the past few years. It had a Government shareholder that by its very...

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Much comment has been made on the package of aviation measures announced by the Minister for Transport yesterday. Looking across at the members of the Opposition, they may——

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: They may very well criticise the decisions that have been made. One thing is for certain — without this decision, a state of paralysis would have continued.

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: On the one hand, we have two parties divided on this side of the House about the future of Aer Lingus. One party is in favour of private equity and one is favour of——

Seanad: Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Nobody has a monopoly of wisdom on this issue. Now that the decision has been made, I call for the Minister to come into the House. I agree with Senator Mansergh that we must look at an holistic approach to how we get to and from the airport.

Seanad: Tourism Industry: Motion. (18 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I thank the Independent group for tabling this motion and the Minister of State for attending. The issue of competitiveness is paramount to this economy and is of crucial national importance. Continuing to compete not only in selling our goods and services but also in attracting foreign direct investment and creating high quality jobs are the key to our future growth. Economic competitiveness...

Seanad: Alternative Energy Projects. (11 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I have raised this issue on the Adjournment because, from commentators and from our own experience in the past few years and very recently, we all know about the cost of energy in our homes and businesses. We must begin looking at alternative sources of energy in this country. As an island nation we are very dependent on others to supply our energy needs. Without Government support for, or...