Results 2,621-2,640 of 4,676 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2015)

Dessie Ellis: It belongs to the people and not to the Taoiseach or any Government.

Housing Affordability: Motion [Private Members] (27 Jan 2015)

Dessie Ellis: On the face of it, the Fianna Fáil motion says practically nothing. It certainly proposes very little, and what it does propose is either vague or seriously flawed. The lack of any firm proposals in this motion speaks volumes. Fianna Fáil, like the Government, is incapable of grasping the reality, namely, that the crisis we face in housing and particularly social housing has now...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (27 Jan 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 289. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the possibility of legislation for harsher penalties for persons who issue threats specifically to public servants and local authority employees while they are carrying out their duties. [3383/15]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (28 Jan 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 81. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) in Dublin 15 was only provided a special needs assistant for two hours a day when they require one between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. due to difficulties arising from delayed global development syndrome; and if he will review the matter. [3990/15]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (28 Jan 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 101. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the problems with growing waiting lists in Cappagh Hospital, Dublin 11 being caused due to a lack of nursing staff which means that one theatre for elective surgeries has remained closed; his plans for staffing levels which will see the theatre opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4052/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (29 Jan 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank everybody for the presentations. I opposed the privatisation of Aer Lingus, which has been a disaster. Many promises were made, including that the Government would retain a figure of 20% and that nobody would be able to take over Aer Lingus without the Government's approval. Now we see that they were not true and that promises were not worth the paper they were written on. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (29 Jan 2015)

Dessie Ellis: Demands for people to say whether they agree or disagree are being challenged.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (29 Jan 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank everyone for the presentations. I suppose I would feel a bit disappointed over the opinion that IAG is merely going out there and stating it will improve connectivity, deliver more flights and deliver more passengers. It was Deputy Dooley and I who put forward the suggestion of bringing witnesses in, not to scare people but because, in advance of the possibility that some group...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (29 Jan 2015)

Dessie Ellis: There is no guarantee that it will go the opposite way either.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 124. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the State's stake in Aer Lingus; and the maintenance of its Heathrow slots which are vital to the Irish economy. [4666/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: There are huge concerns not just among the public but in various representative groups about any potential sale of Aer Lingus. Those concerns were expressed at the recent meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications by unions, employers' bodies, Enterprise Ireland, representatives of tourism and other groups. Within our economy tourism numbers have been greatly...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: It is widely reported that IAG has offered to secure these slots for five years. That is not worth the paper on which it is written. In the past we have seen how companies come and go and how they change over time. In a previous takeover in England it was agreed that a position regarding slots would last for three to five years. Then, the regulator moved in and said a certain number of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: Pensions must also be considered. There was a debacle with the pensions of the Irish airlines superannuation scheme, IASS. Other areas must be examined beyond connectivity and tourism. It is important we examine this carefully. When senior executives stand to make €30 million, it is in their interests to sell off our airline. That seems to be how things have moved. The drive...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 127. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the future of the public rail network under Irish Rail; and the way it will be better integrated with the wider public transport network. [4668/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: As the Minister said, there are huge gaps in our rail network and we need better integration with the wider public transport networks. What plans does the Minister have to improve and integrate our rail system and to keep it in public ownership? That is very important. Connectivity in this country is a huge issue. The whole north east has no rail network. Is there any sign that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: There has been a huge increase in rail passenger numbers, with great potential for further increases. However, rail services are lacking in several parts of the country. For example, in the north east the rail system is practically non-existent. In regard to connectivity in our main cities, I hope that the Minister shares my vision regarding the need for rail connectivity between Dublin,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister for his reply. I agree that the Leap card has proven to be very successful and has improved the lives of many commuters. However, I believe there is a need for discussion between the Minister and his counterpart in the North on the cross-Border ticketing issue. It is important that there is connectivity across the whole of the island of Ireland, including Derry and...

Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: The programme for Government promised additional resources for mental health services. It also contained a commitment to undertake a full review of the mental health strategy, A Vision for Change. However, this appears to have been taken off the agenda. Almost 1,000 nurses will leave the health service this year, including a substantial number in the mental health service. The Government...

Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I will do that.

Topical Issue Debate: Property Tax Exemptions (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister of State for attending and the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue. By definition, tenants are not the owners of a property. They may have rights in a property, but these are limited and only for the period of their tenancy and with the agreement of their landlord. They are far less powerful in this regard than those who own their homes, ignoring the fact that...