Results 4,341-4,360 of 4,706 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Road Network (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: PPPs have been a disaster in this regard, as the NRA put in place a mechanism, whereby if traffic levels dropped, the State would have to compensate companies. This does not make sense. The companies involved have been well paid, with many receiving significant sums from the State to undertake the projects. The Minister referred to the Limerick tunnel PPP. The NRA paid €1.8 million over...

Driving Licences (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: I welcome the introduction of the card, but I was not aware that the licence must mention the need to wear glasses. I do not remember seeing this before. It seems strange that we would include such a detail. For various reasons, a person could be driving without his or her glasses and I do not understand how this provision could be included in the legislation.

Driving Licences (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: Is there a penalty for not wearing glasses?

Driving Licences (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: I hope there is not.

Road Network (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: Question 12: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his plans to remove tolls on all roads which are no longer required to be tolled either for recoup of expenditure or under contract with private partners. [33432/11]

Road Network (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: It has been reported that there will be increases in tolls in the new year. The Minister mentioned previously the tolling of different parts of the M50. Is that idea dead and buried? It would cause huge problems for people throughout the city, while adding huge volumes of traffic to secondary roads. Are there plans to toll the Jack Lynch tunnel? We should also lower the tolls for use of...

Road Network (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: With the downturn, the number of heavy goods vehicles using the Dublin Port tunnel has lessened significantly. I accept the Minister's statement to the effect that we do not want huge volumes of traffic. However, we do want a reasonable amount of traffic to use it in order that it will be diverted from the main areas.

Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: Is the Minister in a position to confirm whether there was an underspend of €340 million in respect of capital projects? There is a commitment in the St. Andrews Agreement of 2006 in respect of the A5 Dublin to Derry road. The project relating to this road forms part of the cross-Border initiatives in respect of which the Government stated it would provide 50% of the funding. The road in...

Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: I hear what the Minister is saying but this is a commitment. This is an international commitment as well as one between us and the northern authorities. We need a better idea, not merely to wait for the meeting of the North-South ministerial body to discuss this. We must have something concrete and we must say it will be done in a certain timeframe. The Minister is saying he is not...

Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: Unfortunately, we do not have fiscal control.

Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: There is a big difference.

Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: But that is out of choice.

Public Transport (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that cost cutting measures and rerouting plans being put in place by Dublin Bus will not adversely affect service to those who most depend on same [33489/11]

Public Transport (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: The Minister of State is aware that Dublin Bus has cut almost 200 buses in the Dublin region and the effects have been enormous. I disagree fundamentally with the premise that one must continue to cut and must make any system financially viable. It can be argued that Dublin Bus provides a great service and it is one of the least subsidised in Europe, which in itself speaks volumes. As an...

Public Transport (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: Moreover, this only pertains to Dublin and I would hate to see the effects this will have in other areas outside Dublin. The Minister of State should continue to argue. I have attended many meetings in this regard right across the entire north-western area and in a manner that is replicated throughout the city, people are unable to get buses, are obliged to walk long distances and areas are...

Public Transport (9 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: As for the amount of transport and the number of people using it, in some cases two and three bus routes are being merged into one. Proportionately, passenger numbers obviously will be a lot higher if one puts them all into a single bus. One must be careful about throwing out figures like that and the Minister of State should take on board that sometimes this is what is happening.

Written Answers — Hospital Services: Hospital Services (8 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: Question 66: To ask the Minister for Health if he will restore the services and beds closed at James Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32960/11]

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (8 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: Question 191: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding is still to be provided for the flood protection scheme on the River Dargle, County Wicklow, following the capital expenditure review. [33006/11]

Written Answers — Ambulance Service: Ambulance Service (8 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: Question 525: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of emergency call outs in south Wicklow since 2009; and the location from which the ambulance for each call out was dispatched. [33007/11]

Order of Business (3 Nov 2011)

Dessie Ellis: As the Tánaiste is aware, local authorities are preparing their budgets for 2012. It has been signalled within the local government sector that the Government is considering a major adjustment to the rates system which will involve a change to primary legislation. Is the Tánaiste in a position to indicate whether this is the case? When will the relevant legislation be published? The...