Results 3,121-3,140 of 4,723 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Other Questions: Tourism Promotion (27 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: First, I thank the Minister for the initiative of bringing in the 9% VAT rate. That reduction in VAT has contributed enormously to tourism. There was much opposition to it and many were sceptical, but it has worked well. There are other initiatives coming along, such as the commemoration of the Battle of Clontarf in 2014 and, of course, the commemoration in Dublin in 2016. Is the...

Other Questions: Roads Maintenance (27 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: The extra €50 million the Minister found was to go into the maintenance of local and regional roads. The Minister hinted that he might address potholes and ramps with that money. Is that part of what he is planning? I met recently with north Meath residents against potholes. They claim that the most potholes of any part of the country are in north Meath. The Minister said we will...

Other Questions: Roads Maintenance (27 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I hope the Minister does not go on those cycles too often.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Roads Authority Expenditure (27 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: If the M50 does become a problem, and the Minister has said it might, the old plan for an orbital route around the northern part of the M50 could be considered for the future, although finances will obviously have a bearing on that. We have the example of the port tunnel, which used very high prices to ensure very few private cars use it while taking the trucks and heavy traffic off the main...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Roads Authority Expenditure (27 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 2. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure safety standards on the M50 while avoiding increases in tolls and forcing drivers into residential or built up areas. [31341/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Roads Authority Expenditure (27 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister. I am glad to hear he has no plans to put further tolls on the M50, which is undoubtedly the busiest road in the country. All the main carriageways from north, south, east and west converge on the M50. We were opposed to the tolling of the M50 from the outset. We saw what happened when the contract was drawn up with the company that was previously responsible for the...

Leaders' Questions (27 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: It went wrong long before then.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Applications (27 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 60. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update of his discussions with the Chief State Solicitor's Office and of his review of the operation of the 2012 sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30946/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Bike Schemes (27 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 65. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the limited expansion of the Dublin Bike scheme into the northside of Dublin city in view of the large increase on already existing hubs in the south side. [31029/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 16. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the Tamil Political Prisoners in Sri Lanka March 2013 report produced by the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice, which investigated the arbitrary detention of Tamil political prisoners and the prison conditions they face; and if he has raised the issue with the Sri Lankan...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Conflict Resolution (26 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 62. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to Highway 60, a road which stretches between Israel and the West Bank in Palestine, that the Israeli Government has recently revived plans to continue building this road, that the new plans may lead to the confiscation of land from Palestinian farmers in Beit Ommar and that it may lead to...

Topical Issue Debate: Marine Safety (25 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Coastal communities have suffered more than most in recent years. We should follow the example of Iceland where, owing to the high safety standards employed, there are almost no fatalities at sea. In 2011, in this country there were 13 accidents involving vessels at sea. Six of these involved fishing vessels, three of which sank, resulting in five fatalities. Some 108 people died at sea...

Topical Issue Debate: Marine Safety (25 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: On 12 June, the bodies of brothers, Shane, Kenny and Paul Bolger, were recovered from the water near Tramore. These experienced fishermen were well known throughout the area and they were well liked. They lost their lives in the same way too many people have lost their lives in the past few years. Working at sea is not the safest job and it never will be. There will always be harsh...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (25 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: The amount for maritime transport and safety has increased considerably, by at least €30,000, and it is badly needed. A number of accidents have occurred off the coast and three fishermen drowned recently. The Minister has indicated he will make an announcement in July with regard to personal beacons which can be traced in the water. Has the cost of these beacons been factored in?...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (25 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: If advertising by alcohol companies is banned, will it put added pressure on the Department to meet the shortfall? Various sports bodies receive substantial funding for programmes they have put in place. Has this been considered with regard to the Estimates?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (25 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Will the Minister of State rob the Department of Health?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (25 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Will the additional €50 million for regional and local roads go towards fixing potholes or is it just the maintenance of those roads?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (25 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: From where was the €50 million identified, because it is a substantial amount?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (25 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: The total provisional outturn for 2012 was €27.923 million, while the overall estimate for 2013 is €30.105 million. Will the Minister of State outline the reason for this increase? Will the Minister of State fill us in on why there is an increase this year? The non-pay administration figure referred to by the previous Deputy goes from €796,000 up to €876,000....

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2013
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (25 Jun 2013)

Dessie Ellis: There is a significant reduction in the expenses figure for the Road Safety Authority. I realise there has been a considerable drop in road deaths but why are we reducing that figure if we want to maintain the progress we have made? It is a substantial amount. The public service provision payment has been reduced considerably by approximately €50 million or €60 million. If...