Results 161-180 of 349 for speaker:Tom Morrissey

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I am pleased Senator Ross has put down this motion. It is amazing that any Member should claim to have heard me utter anything about open tolling and I defy them to produce any evidence to that effect. Neither I nor my party would be so reckless. The problem is that the M50 has been successful. We will never know the type of debate that would have taken place today had the forecasts upon...

Seanad: West Link Toll Bridge: Motion. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Morrissey: It is up to motorists to make the choice. Up to 800 cars per hour can go through the Eazy Pass booth, while only some 400 can move through the manual system and 600 under the pay system. There are actions that can be taken, therefore, to alleviate the current difficulties. The Minister of State has indicated the significant cost of upgrading the M50, involving money that will be forgone...

Seanad: Order of Business. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Morrissey: The Government has put much effort and energy into road safety and I support the call for a debate on this issue. If we have reached a point where the enforcers of the law ask for a change in practice, it behoves us to listen to them. We no longer require anecdotal evidence as the gardaí themselves are calling the penalty points system into question. It is imperative to have a debate on this...

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

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

Seanad: Employment Policy: Motion. (23 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: The consistently positive news on employment in Ireland each quarter is no surprise given the favourable economic environment which the Government has created for economic growth and employment opportunities. Over the past seven years, in excess of 500,000 jobs have been created. The total number of persons employed is just short of a record 1.9 million. This equates to one person working for...

Seanad: Order of Business. (22 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I too wish to be associated with the praise for the Garda Síochána on the sterling work it has done in uncovering a great deal of activity that we have been invited to close our eyes to over a number of years and to believe the collective lie that such actions were not occurring. The suggestion that we take the easy option this time and do not spell out where we wish to go is wrong. The...

Seanad: Physical Education Facilities. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister here for this Adjournment matter. It is ironic that I should raise this issue tonight because 12 or 13 years ago I had the honour of leading a march around Castleknock to get the Castleknock Community School built. At that time we were told there was no need for the 450 capacity school that became the major community school in Castleknock. A gym was built in the school...

Seanad: Regional Transport Policy: Statements. (16 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State to the House for this debate on rural transport policy. Sometimes when we speak about transport policy in this House, we seem to think primarily in terms of transport in Dublin. I note that all the speakers are from rural areas, except for the Minister of State and myself. I will not dwell on that aspect too much because it has been given a good airing so far....

Seanad: Dublin Port Tunnel. (9 Feb 2005)

Tom Morrissey: I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely, to the House. I have raised this issue on a number of occasions over the past two or three years. On 21 October last, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, on taking office said that the height of the port tunnel would not change and that this decision had been taken primarily on safety grounds. As a result...

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...

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

Tom Morrissey: Waiting for the punchline.

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: 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: 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: 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...