Results 2,061-2,080 of 4,706 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister for his reply. I agree that the Leap card has proven to be very successful and has improved the lives of many commuters. However, I believe there is a need for discussion between the Minister and his counterpart in the North on the cross-Border ticketing issue. It is important that there is connectivity across the whole of the island of Ireland, including Derry and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 127. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the future of the public rail network under Irish Rail; and the way it will be better integrated with the wider public transport network. [4668/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: As the Minister said, there are huge gaps in our rail network and we need better integration with the wider public transport networks. What plans does the Minister have to improve and integrate our rail system and to keep it in public ownership? That is very important. Connectivity in this country is a huge issue. The whole north east has no rail network. Is there any sign that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: Pensions must also be considered. There was a debacle with the pensions of the Irish airlines superannuation scheme, IASS. Other areas must be examined beyond connectivity and tourism. It is important we examine this carefully. When senior executives stand to make €30 million, it is in their interests to sell off our airline. That seems to be how things have moved. The drive...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 124. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the State's stake in Aer Lingus; and the maintenance of its Heathrow slots which are vital to the Irish economy. [4666/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: There are huge concerns not just among the public but in various representative groups about any potential sale of Aer Lingus. Those concerns were expressed at the recent meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications by unions, employers' bodies, Enterprise Ireland, representatives of tourism and other groups. Within our economy tourism numbers have been greatly...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: It is widely reported that IAG has offered to secure these slots for five years. That is not worth the paper on which it is written. In the past we have seen how companies come and go and how they change over time. In a previous takeover in England it was agreed that a position regarding slots would last for three to five years. Then, the regulator moved in and said a certain number of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank everyone for their presentation. Everyone seems to be agreed there are enormous implications for the sale if it takes place. We have heard differing views. I would certainly be worried about the issue, which has not been mentioned, of job losses. IAG, if it was to take over here, would start trimming the workforce and start to bring it up to what it wants. I note IAG stated it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: It was brought to our attention that there was a takeover bid previously and that after five years the regulator in England ruled, in regard to the Heathrow slots, that it was contrary to best practice that the airline could dominate those, so it was forced to sell slots in the past. It must be borne in mind that we could face that after a five year period.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 137. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the plans for the Swiftway rapid bus services; and if he will make a commitment to keep the service under the operation of Dublin Bus. [4341/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cross-Border Co-operation (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for improving cross border transport links; and if he will commit to meeting with his counterparts in Stormont to discuss improvements in access and planning of transport services [4343/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Process (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 155. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the implementation of Part 4 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2012 and the relevant Schedules; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some gardaí have been meeting with some taxi licence holders and telling them they will be disqualified upon implementation; and if this is correct procedure. [4340/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he had discussions with the National Transport Authority regarding the changes to the taxi fares model and that consultative process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4342/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sport and Recreational Development (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 160. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for promoting women in sport in view of the successes of women athletes here. [4344/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 563. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide update on the implementation of the tenant purchase scheme; if he will provide a list of all local authorities where this scheme will be available; and the expected time at which it will be commenced in these areas. [4423/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Charges Application (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 585. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the plans by Limerick council to place a charge on local authority tenants to cover the cost of the local property tax; if this policy is to be taken up by other councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4927/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Data (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 588. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the large number of vacant local authority houses which have been lying idle in south Kildare Athy-Monasterevin area for upwards of six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4995/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (29 Jan 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank everybody for the presentations. I opposed the privatisation of Aer Lingus, which has been a disaster. Many promises were made, including that the Government would retain a figure of 20% and that nobody would be able to take over Aer Lingus without the Government's approval. Now we see that they were not true and that promises were not worth the paper they were written on. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (29 Jan 2015)

Dessie Ellis: Demands for people to say whether they agree or disagree are being challenged.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (29 Jan 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank everyone for the presentations. I suppose I would feel a bit disappointed over the opinion that IAG is merely going out there and stating it will improve connectivity, deliver more flights and deliver more passengers. It was Deputy Dooley and I who put forward the suggestion of bringing witnesses in, not to scare people but because, in advance of the possibility that some group...