Results 2,741-2,760 of 4,706 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Other Questions: Public Transport Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I would like to know whether a cost-benefit analysis was carried out. The PSO subsidy is in place. Will savings accrue from it? As far as I can see, that seems to be one of the issues involved. Will it lead to a reduction in passenger numbers? A significant effort has been put into Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann to increase passenger numbers and put a proper public system in place....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Tolls (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on his work with the Stormont Assembly in order to lobby the British Government in relation to the proposed HGV levy and the threat it poses to cross border trade. [54259/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 27. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the cost to date of the Luas cross city project including the renting and staffing of the public office and the current estimated time for completion. [54260/13]

Planning and Development (Transparency and Consumer Confidence) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (18 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom tacaíocht a thabhairt don Bille seo. I commend Deputy Catherine Murphy on her hard work and determination in tackling a tricky subject that has troubled the State for many years. This is an imperfect Bill, but it is one that, if allowed to progress through the House, can be a positive step for planning law in the State. To have had a property...

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I welcome this Bill, which represents a long overdue beginning to a resolution of the pyrite scandal. It has been nearly a year and a half since the pyrite report was published. I pay tribute to Sandra and Peter Lewis and others in the Pyrite Action Group for their sterling work in pressuring and lobbying TDs and the Government to address the debacle that has resulted in this terrible...

Leaders' Questions (17 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: That is nonsense.

Leaders' Questions (17 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: The money should be put into infrastructure rather than meters.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescription Charges (17 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 618. To ask the Minister for Health if there is legislation in place to stop a pharmacy absorbing the cost of the prescription charge instead of passing it on to customers. [54256/13]

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I do not really have any problem with these amendments. I wish to ask about learner drivers and drivers with provisional licences who drive unaccompanied by a qualified person. There are a large number of such people out there and we are imposing penalty points. I do not know how the law will be enforced. I suspect there are a large number of people doing this and renewing their...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Yes - two penalty points for a learner permit holder driving unaccompanied by a person with a full driving licence.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Does the amendment include a doctor travelling in his car to the scene of an accident? A doctor is not specifically mentioned.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: On balance I support Deputy McEntee's amendment. If somebody received three points on two occasions he or she would have six penalty points, which is a harsh penalty for two offences. With six penalty points a young driver or a person with a provisional licence would be put off the road, but by increasing the number to seven we are giving them a little extra leverage. One can argue from...

Topical Issue Debate: National Food Bank (11 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: It is believed that, globally, one third of the world's food goes to waste. Unsurprisingly, the bulk of that waste is in the Western world - in Europe and the United States. Of course, to address global hunger fully, we need a radical shift in the distribution of wealth but, more locally, we can also help to ease the suffering of those currently economically oppressed by putting in place an...

Topical Issue Debate: National Food Bank (11 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister of State. There is no doubt a huge amount of work is done by the charities, and the Minister of State referred to 563 charities which are delivering different items, which is very worthwhile. However, it is clear there is a huge loss of food from other sources. As I said, Aldi indicated it had to get rid of €10 million worth of surplus food, which is scandalous....

Bethany Home: Motion [Private Members] (10 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this issue and to do my small part in representing the wishes of a group of people who have been forgotten for far too long. First, l pay tribute to Niall Meehan and all the others involved in Bethany Home survivors group who have kept on the pressure over the years. I pay tribute to my colleague, Deputy Mary Lou McDonald, and her officials who have...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Remuneration (10 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 480. To ask the Minister for Health if any salary top-ups have been paid to any members of staff at St Michael's House, Ballymun Road; if so, the amount that was given; the date on which it was given; and the source from which the top-up was taken and the position to which it was paid. [52598/13]

Order of Business (5 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: There are plans for the penalty point systems to be harmonised North and South to make them more effective. People have evaded penalties, penalty points and fines for a number of years and we do not know what this evasion amounts to in monetary terms. The Road Traffic (No. 3) Bill is due for publication. When will it be published? This is an important issue in the context of safety.

Other Questions: Pyrite Resolution Board Membership (5 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: The Minister announced that he was putting a certain amount of funding towards the resolution of pyrite in houses, but there are over 800 houses urgently in need and time is pressing. The timescale seems to be getting ever longer. Can the Minister give some indication of when he will have this scheme up and running?

Other Questions: Unfinished Housing Developments (5 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 29. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estates that are to be demolished due to their unfinished state; the criteria for deciding on these developments; and the timeframe in which these demolitions are expected to happen. [51923/13]

Other Questions: Unfinished Housing Developments (5 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: This is about the unfinished housing estates and the timeframe for their expected demolition. How many estates are involved?