Results 141-160 of 349 for speaker:Tom Morrissey

Seanad: Order of Business. (11 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: On Monday, many Oireachtas Members from the Dublin area met with the management of Fingal County Council. They were shocked to be given information that despite the proposed ratification of the review of the draft development plan by the council in the coming weeks, the projected population figures for 2011 will be reached by 2008. This is in tandem with 7,000 housing units being taken out of...

Seanad: Health Services. (5 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: The community mothers' programme has run successfully in Finglas, Ballymun and Coolock for the past seven years. It is worthwhile because it enables young mothers to deal with their young children often in difficult situations. Many of these mothers are vulnerable and I ask that consideration be given to extending the programme to the greater Blanchardstown area where a similar scheme is needed.

Seanad: Immigrant Workers: Motion. (4 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: As someone who has employed migrant workers I feel very annoyed that there are unscrupulous employers who have gotten away with exploiting these workers for years. The greatest service we can provide for migrant workers is integration. The only way that is possible is through language. The difficulties with Gama Construction would not have happened if those workers had received language...

Seanad: Immigrant Workers: Motion. (4 May 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I wish to share my time with Senators Mansergh and Leyden.

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I thank all the Senators who participated in this debate. I also thank the Minister for Transport for staying so long in the House today. We have been criticised by some in this House for choosing this subject for tonight's motion. If it was so important to Opposition Members why have they not addressed it in their Private Members' time before now? We tabled this motion before the bank...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: There will be almost 700 extra gardaí in the traffic corps, bringing its total to 1,200.

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I am not here to defend heavy goods vehicles or the haulage industry, but this country depends on that industry for transporting our exports and raw materials. The heavy goods vehicle industry must be policed correctly and with that I would like to see the regulations on the weight that can be carried by these vehicles, particularly in the building industry, properly enforced. The recent...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Through cost-benefit analysis, all Departments can see the costs of road safety. We do not have a budgetary provision or methodology to evaluate the benefits but on examining the Goodbody consultants report, the benefits are quite clear. Each fatality costs the State €2 million and each serious injury costs in excess of €200,000, and that must be considered. With regard to drivers between...

Seanad: Schools Refurbishment. (27 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I raise this issue about St.Brigid's national school, Castleknock. It is a school with an enrolment of 768 pupils. The Castleknock parish area has had projections of a 170% increase in housing in recent years. This school has long waiting lists. It urgently needs a new gym. The existing gym that was built in 1971 has been condemned by health and safety experts as being totally inadequate for...

Seanad: Road Safety: Motion. (27 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I move: That Seanad Éireann —notes the commitment of the Government to take a comprehensive set of actions to address the rate of injuries and deaths on our roads; —acknowledges, specifically, the commitment of the Government to take measures to improve road safety and driver behaviour; —welcomes the work of Government Departments and agencies to address the serious issue of road...

Seanad: State Airports: Motion. (20 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I am delighted to have this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the Progressive Democrats to the needs of consumers in the aviation industry. This debate should leave no one in doubt that the interest of the consumer is our foremost concern. In the past, discourse on aviation policy and infrastructure was dominated by engineering and planning issues. It is really about what is best for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: In recent years we have undergone an expensive process, called benchmarking, that was predicated upon reform in the Civil Service and public service. However, on 17 February 2005 there was a finding in the Department of Finance on skills shortages with regard to the recruitment of 26 people. The trade union IMPACT brought a case, which was not about the fact of skills shortages but who would...

Seanad: Order of Business. (20 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: This exercise has cost us dearly and I ask that the Minister for Finance come into the House to explain in precise terms the reform that has been made.

Seanad: Port Development. (13 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Our ports are an essential element of our economic infrastructure, as they process 99% of the island's foreign trade. They are critical points not only for transport but also for the entire economy. Our economy is dependent largely on the proper operation of our ports. They operate at the...

Seanad: Rights of Migrant Workers: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I want to see the figure that was entered for salary. It is only when we learn that figure that we will know the amount to which Gama workers are entitled, and what balance should be in these infamous accounts. I do not know of any small or medium-sized Irish company which has also engaged in this practice and I would be amazed if there are other people engaging in it. If they are doing so,...

Seanad: Rights of Migrant Workers: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I thank Senator Leyden for giving me his speaking slot. I reassure him that we are not the major partner in Government.

Seanad: Rights of Migrant Workers: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I congratulate the Minister on the approach he has taken to the Gama issue. This matter must be examined. The report must be published in the interests of fairness to those employers who have employed migrant workers here and to those migrant workers who are providing an invaluable service. There is no doubt that rogue employers exist. The one aspect of this matter which puzzles me — I hope...

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I support the calls for a debate on the Morris tribunal. For those of us who have followed it, the events unfolding there are disturbing.

Seanad: Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I apologise, a Chathaoirligh, I was referring to the interim report of the Morris tribunal. The recent publication of immigration policy by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform must be discussed in the House as it is an important issue. I ask the Leader to convey our wishes to the Minister on this matter. Last weekend's Progressive Democrats national conference debated road...

Seanad: Order of Business. (12 Apr 2005)

Tom Morrissey: Like my party, I condemn the Gama construction company for the way it has treated its workers. I hope that when the Minister comes to the Seanad tomorrow he will clearly outline where the Department stands on this issue. I am an employer and have employed migrant labour. There is a section in the application form for work permits which deals with the number of hours per week and the rate of...