Results 1,501-1,520 of 4,706 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport Programme (17 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 614. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport given that the value for money recommendations indicated that the rural transport programme might benefit from being under the aegis of the National Transport Authority's responsibility, his views that its ethos and fundamental structures require change, in that it was only recommended that economies and skills on the supply side be...

Freedom of Movement (Common Travel Area) (Travel Documentation) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: On the face of it, this Bill makes sense. The requirement to present a passport for valid travel is one that has private origins within Ryanair. If the Irish and British Governments have negotiated and agreed a common travel area for British and Irish citizens, Ryanair, or any other group, should not have the right to ignore that. Irish citizens benefit when there is no requirement to use a...

Multi-Unit Developments (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (13 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I welcome this positive and constructive Bill and commend the work of Deputy Catherine Murphy in this regard. I ask that the Government consider its focus. It is disappointing that the Bill is being opposed by the Government. Far too often the Government appears to view legislation from this side of the House as an excuse to practice its dissection skills. It sets out to pull apart...

Garda Síochána (Policing Authority and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) (12 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: Do not make even more of a mess. He made a mess of the Bill.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: A business group.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbours Bill 2015: Committee Stage (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: By and large the Harbours Bill 2015 is a good Bill. The transfer of control of the five designated ports of regional significance as well as the future transfer of other ports to the local authorities is good. I have an issue, which echoes a point made by Deputy Boyd Barrett on the executive powers of the chief executive. We have experience in the past of the Dublin city manager overriding...

Other Questions: Public Transport Initiatives (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 9. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on plans for the Dublin Bus rapid transit system that has been proposed for the capital city. [39269/15]

Other Questions: Public Transport Initiatives (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I want to ask the Minister about his plans for the bus rapid transport system that has been proposed for Dublin. It went off the radar to an extent when the capital plan was announced. Can the Minister give us an update on it?

Other Questions: Public Transport Initiatives (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: There was a great deal of consultation on the three preferred BRT routes. Measures were to be put in place. The Minister is saying that while the metro is the main focus of attention, there may be interim projects that involve the use of BRT or some watered-down version of it. It is not clear whether the Minister is intending to push ahead with this in some capacity. He is saying that if...

Other Questions: Public Transport Initiatives (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: Yes.

Other Questions: Public Transport Initiatives (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I agree with the Minister that there has been a massive improvement at the Cat & Cage in Drumcondra, which had been a bottleneck for many years. If we were to proceed with some form of BRT, it would facilitate such projects. We will probably need some supplementary measures while we are waiting for the metro line to the airport to kick off. I acknowledge that there have been some...

Other Questions: City of Culture Initiative (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 8. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the support his Department will provide to Dublin City Council as part of the council's efforts to secure city of culture status for 2020; and the estimated benefits a successful bid would have on the city's tourism industry. [39267/15]

Other Questions: City of Culture Initiative (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: What support will the Minister and his Department give to Dublin City Council as part of the council's effort to secure the city of culture status for 2020, and what are the estimated benefits it would bring?

Other Questions: City of Culture Initiative (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: How could we decide which city to fight for? I cannot win. Whether Dublin, Cork or Limerick-----

Other Questions: City of Culture Initiative (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: -----all our cities are full of good culture. We are pressing for whatever city and I am not sure how the Minister will gauge it. Perhaps he would indicate how he would make such a judgment or how he would see it. Much is happening in our city. Moore Street is being redone and the iconic buildings there are being brought on stream. While it is a pity we do not have the whole battlefield...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 5. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to work with Dublin City Council and public transport companies to improve the accessibility and affordability of public transport links in Dublin, with a particular focus on the commuter belt and Dublin Airport. [39589/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I wish to ask the Minister about his plans to work with Dublin City Council and public transport companies to improve the accessibility and affordability of public transport links in Dublin, with a particular focus on the commuter belt and Dublin Airport.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: At a time when the number of DART, Luas, rail and bus commuters have increased, it is difficult to understand why prices have been increased as soon as we started to see a big improvement. It is very disappointing. I accept that the NTA has a role, but the approach is unfortunate. The Minister referred to the capital plan in terms of transport links. The problem with projects such as...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I agree with the Minister that the Leap cards have been a significant step forward, in addition to the apps and real time information at bus stops. The impact of those initiatives has been major. I hope they will be expanded to other cities, because currently they are predominantly based in Dublin. I accept that the initiatives have been extended to Cork and other cities but I would like...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Car Test (11 Nov 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 2. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to investigate the efficiency and effectiveness of the current national car test system and the operation of that system given the high failure rates, the long waiting lists for motorists to have their cars tested, and the regular need for retesting of cars over minor issues. [39558/15]