Results 241-260 of 4,698 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Dessie Ellis: 973. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for Garda vetting received from January 2022 to date by the Garda National Vetting Bureau; the average length of time it took to process an individual application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17246/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Climate Crisis and Disability: Discussion (30 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: I thank Mr. Walshe, Mr. Kearns, Mr. Mooney and Ms Gilmartin for their input. "Leave no one behind" is a good slogan but, unfortunately, many in the disabled community have been left behind. That is not only the case here. It is also the case in Europe and in other countries. There is certainly no great emphasis on pushing these issues. The disabled community general faces greater daily...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: The Tánaiste forgot about that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Inadequate Personal Assistance Supports: Discussion (23 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the witnesses for their opening statements. There is no doubt we wish to see a human rights approach when dealing with people with disabilities, because they are foremost the people who matter. It is quite clear the way in which personal assistance is dealt with is totally inadequate. There are also variations in allocations and provisions throughout the country, which can be very...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (21 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: We have just had an intense and emotional debate on a Sinn Féin Private Members' motion that called for an extension of the eviction ban to protect tenants and ensure they will have somewhere to live during this housing and rental crisis. There is no doubt there is great fear among renters at the moment. Many feel vulnerable and deeply distressed that when the ban is lifted at the end...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (21 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: There is an issue in respect of the crossover between local authorities. It has not been resolved between Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council in spite of a significant amount of co-operation. Plans are in place, however, and the councils are considering the matter. One such plan may be to compile a list of all landlords seeking to sell in Fingal, for Dublin City Council to do the...

Comóradh Sheachtain na Gaeilge: Ráitis (9 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: Táim an-bhuíoch labhairt mar gheall ar ár dteanga. Mar a deirtear, tír gan teanga, tír gan anam. Nuair a bhí mé ag fás aníos i bhFionnghlas, ní raibh aon Ghaelscoil ann. Sa scoil, bhí mé ábalta Gaeilge a scríobh agus a léamh ach ní raibh béim ar an nGaeilge a labhairt, rud a bhí scannalach. Anois...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (9 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: Will the Tánaiste indicate the status of the Dog Breeding Establishments (Amendment) Act? Will he also indicate if unannounced inspections of dog breeding establishments will be included in the proposed legislative amendments? If so, can he tell us whether these inspections will be carried out by proper authorities such as the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Self-advocacy and Women with Disabilities: Discussion (9 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the panel for all the presentations. Each of them - Eliona, Derval, Una, Amy, Sarah and Nem - spoke about gender-based violence and that the instance of it is higher in women with disabilities. I was struck by what Nem said about there being a lot of evidence to suggest it is members of the family, people who are close to them or carers that this comes from. Obviously, there is a...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: My constituency has seen an unprecedented increase in cases involving exorbitant energy bills. For example, a young mother received an energy bill for €6,000. As the Tánaiste can imagine, this caused her unnecessary distress and could have impacted her ability to pay her mortgage. The Government has indicated that it intends to bring in a windfall tax in the coming weeks. Can...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: Yes.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (2 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: It is mainly the gas bills.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessing Justice: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: I thank Ms McCaffrey for the introduction and all that she has said. I agree with a lot of the aims and how the service is going about things. Mental health issues in the prison population are reckoned to be approximately four times the national average, which is very worrying. Much of it is increased by alcohol, drugs, or otherwise, and dealing with that is difficult. What is the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessing Justice: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: That is good, yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessing Justice: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: I have seen them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessing Justice: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: Yes, I wanted to ask two questions, the first of which relates to the mention of phones in the cells and the connections with the Samaritans. Are those phones now open for people to make phone calls? The way the prison system works is that prisoners will get three phone calls per week, etc. Is that opening the door and, if so, what are the security implications of that? I am just curious...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessing Justice: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: That would not mean every cell, would it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Accessing Justice: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Mar 2023)

Dessie Ellis: That is okay. I agree with it.

Housing and Evictions: Motion [Private Members] (21 Feb 2023)

Dessie Ellis: In this housing crisis, no one should be made homeless or be put under that threat. If the eviction ban ends in the coming months and if it is not extended, this threat of homelessness will become a reality for many families. Renters are stressed, anxious and fearful for their future and parents are fearful for the future of their families. It is just not sustainable that people should...