Results 2,641-2,660 of 4,676 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

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

Dessie Ellis: It is important to realise that the local property tax has only been frozen until 2016 and that after that date, we will see a huge jump in the charge across the country. This will affect everyone but, in particular, the least well-off in society, local authority tenants. It is not good enough to say it is at the discretion of local authorities as to whether the charge should be imposed....

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

Dessie Ellis: The Deputy knows the truth. Labour Party councillors voted against the proposed 15% reduction.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 137. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the plans for the Swiftway rapid bus services; and if he will make a commitment to keep the service under the operation of Dublin Bus. [4341/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cross-Border Co-operation (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for improving cross border transport links; and if he will commit to meeting with his counterparts in Stormont to discuss improvements in access and planning of transport services [4343/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Process (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 155. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the implementation of Part 4 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2012 and the relevant Schedules; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some gardaí have been meeting with some taxi licence holders and telling them they will be disqualified upon implementation; and if this is correct procedure. [4340/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he had discussions with the National Transport Authority regarding the changes to the taxi fares model and that consultative process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4342/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sport and Recreational Development (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 160. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for promoting women in sport in view of the successes of women athletes here. [4344/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Tenant Purchase Scheme Administration (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 563. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide update on the implementation of the tenant purchase scheme; if he will provide a list of all local authorities where this scheme will be available; and the expected time at which it will be commenced in these areas. [4423/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Charges Application (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 585. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the plans by Limerick council to place a charge on local authority tenants to cover the cost of the local property tax; if this policy is to be taken up by other councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4927/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Data (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 588. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the large number of vacant local authority houses which have been lying idle in south Kildare Athy-Monasterevin area for upwards of six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4995/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank everyone for their presentation. Everyone seems to be agreed there are enormous implications for the sale if it takes place. We have heard differing views. I would certainly be worried about the issue, which has not been mentioned, of job losses. IAG, if it was to take over here, would start trimming the workforce and start to bring it up to what it wants. I note IAG stated it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: It was brought to our attention that there was a takeover bid previously and that after five years the regulator in England ruled, in regard to the Heathrow slots, that it was contrary to best practice that the airline could dominate those, so it was forced to sell slots in the past. It must be borne in mind that we could face that after a five year period.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I do not have any questions.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I have a question about the PSO subventions. The Minister stated that he will maintain them at the same level. I ask if he can ensure this can be achieved. It is a vital service.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: In respect of the national sports campus in Abbotstown, will the national indoor arena be completed or is there sufficient funding only to continue with the work? Has there been a drop in the sports capital funding? How is the funding of local clubs distributed? The Minister made an announcement on the drinks industry sponsorship of sport. I think the decision was sensible in light of a...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: We are continuing to apply 9% VAT rate to hospitality services. That has been a great initiative in terms of creating employment and the catering industry has benefitted. The number of tourists coming to the country has increased dramatically. Now that we are coming toward 2016, I would like to see more emphasis on the preparation for some of the event that will take place. We need to...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (5 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 274. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to re-introduce the scheme whereby older persons could give up their home to a local authority in order to be placed in housing for the elderly; and his plans for similar schemes to free up local authority or private housing while supporting care for older persons. [5318/15]

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: To refer briefly to section 9, this refers to pension rights, redundancies, unfair dismissals and so forth.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: My query is about the loss of staff. I understand there will be no loss of staff in this merger.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Roads Bill 2014: Committee Stage (5 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: There are no massive numbers; there is only a small number involved.