Results 3,281-3,300 of 4,706 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Government Fund (28 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated amount of 2013 revenue raised from road tax which will be used to pay of the States debts not related to our road network. [15812/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Maintenance (28 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of revenue from road tax spent on road maintenance and road improvement. [15811/13]

Other Questions: Tourism Capital Investment Programme (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Certainly, some of the initiatives which have been introduced, including the change to VAT, have done wonders. I have received good reports. Are we satisfied that in all cases the VAT reduction has been passed on by the industry? Are there instances in which people have abused the reduction by failing to pass on the cut? I do not know. I have...

Other Questions: Tourism Capital Investment Programme (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Could the Minister of State say something about Moore Street?

Other Questions: Sponsorship of Sporting Events (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: This subject was debated at today's meeting of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications which was attended by the chief executive officers of the three main sports of rugby, soccer and the GAA. They have serious concerns about a restriction on advertising and sponsorship. They outlined issues such as the effect on local clubs. In my area it is often the case that a local club...

Other Questions: Public Transport (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: There have been some very good improvements. Integrated ticketing has been a massive improvement, as have the bus signs which have been very successful in making times available to people as they are standing at bus stops. However, if we continue to cut the subsidy to these networks, we will end up with more cuts and less people on public transport. I know the Minister of State said in the...

Other Questions: Public Transport (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. There is no doubt the cuts to the public transport system, in particular the cut in the Government subsidy, year on year, has led to serious cuts in public transport, particularly in Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann services, which have led to a lack of services for passengers in a number of areas. I know this from what...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Railway Safety Issues (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of manual road crossings still in place on the rail network; and if he plans to phase these out due to negative effects on traffic congestion and public safety concerns. [15424/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Railway Safety Issues (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I know the Minister of State is aware that there are approximately 1,000 railway crossings that are manually operated across the State. This is a problem. While there has been progress, I am concerned when I hear the Minister of State say this matter is the responsibility of Iarnród Éireann. It is the responsibility of the Department and the Minister of State should tell...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Railway Safety Issues (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I mentioned Athenry, but there was also an issue because there was no manual override of the automatic system. This is another problem in terms of health and safety. This was promised at Athenry, but it has not yet been delivered. In a situation where a train service is delayed or some other unforeseen event occurs, there should be a backup system to help resolve the issue. I accept that...

Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: The Minister of State mentioned the Finance Bill. We know this measure is contained in that Bill. Nobody is saying this proposal is being introduced without having been previously flagged. The point we are making is that motor tax receipts should go to local authorities for the purposes outlined. I find it difficult to understand the reason Fianna Fáil, which introduced the emissions...

Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Order for Report Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I am opposed to the Bill but do not have an argument with the amendment the Minister of State wishes to propose. I am satisfied with that. On Committee State, we tabled an amendment that was ruled out of order on the basis that there was a cost to the State. I firmly believe many people were let down in the motor industry. In 2008, in particular, when people were asked by the previous...

Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Order for Report Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I disagree with what is occurring. The €1 billion or so should be going to local authorities to deal with the roads, potholes, etc. Some €150 million of this is to be used to assist in paying off the national debt. I object to this, and there was an amendment put to that effect.

Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I do not believe that the Title of this Bill reflects what is occurring. I certainly agree with Deputy Murphy in that regard. That €150 million is being taken from approximately €1 billion in revenue to pay off the national debt is a scam and a shame. In our constituencies, we note the number of potholes and roads requiring maintenance. There are unfinished estates on which...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sponsorship of Major Sporting Events by Drinks Industry: Discussion with FAI, GAA and IRFU (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: They were very small. It is just that the main one-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Sponsorship of Major Sporting Events by Drinks Industry: Discussion with FAI, GAA and IRFU (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the delegates for their presentations and acknowledge the huge contribution their organisations make to society through sports and all of the issues surrounding it. Having heard the contributions of the three delegates my first impression is that the general consensus is that a ban on alcohol sponsorship would have a huge affect on the organisations, although in terms of what they...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Issues (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with representatives of the photo ID industry to address their concerns over a threat to their livelihood by changes to the driver licence format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15049/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Anti-Social Behaviour (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work he has done with Dublin Bus to help tackle anti-social behaviour on or around bus services. [15048/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Property Taxation Exemptions (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the rationale behind the exclusion of estates (details supplied) in Dublin from the list of estates exempt from the local property tax. [15496/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Banking Sector (21 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress being made on the Programme for Government commitment to seek to dispose of the public stakes in the banks as soon as possible at the best possible return to the taxpayer. [14064/13]