Results 381-400 of 405 for speaker:John Ellis
- Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)
John Ellis: Like other Members, I wish to be associated with the good wishes extended to the Cathaoirleach and the staff of the Houses, particularly the Seanad staff. Having listened to the weather forecast for the coming week, we are facing serious problems. With all due respect, the NRA has failed us by not providing an adequate amount of salt and grit for local authorities.
- Seanad: Order of Business (17 Dec 2010)
John Ellis: When this matter was the responsibility of local authorities, they dealt with it far more effectively. However, the amount of money they can spend is capped, as is the amount of grit and salt with which they are supplied. This is wrong. The NRA has failed totally. It would be well advised to hand back responsibility to local authorities, give them the money and let them administer what...
- Seanad: Water Services: Motion (12 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: We all welcome the opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the local authority workers for the effort they put in during the recent crisis. My own local authority responded as best it could to every situation and very few people were left without water for a long time. That shows the commitment of the local authority staff involved. The Opposition has tabled a motion calling for the...
- Seanad: Water Services: Motion (12 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: On a point of order, that is a recommendation only.
- Seanad: Water Services: Motion (12 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: Cork is very different territory though.
- Seanad: Water Services: Motion (12 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: We will agree to it when it is amended.
- Seanad: Water Services: Motion (12 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: Yes.
- Seanad: Climate Change Response Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: We all understand the need to protect our environment under various headings, but climate change is only one heading and we must consider the other initiatives. We must also consider the consequences of drastic changes to the way in which we deal with the situation. I have expressed to the Minister of State in private my views on and some of my problems with the Bill.
- Seanad: Climate Change Response Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: As I was saying before I was interrupted-----
- Seanad: Climate Change Response Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: I have reservations about the Bill, given the number of problems it will cause for agriculture and industry. Let us be fair. Will a Bill introduced by current Members in the dying days of this Government tie the hands of future Governments, irrespective of their shade? I am not saying this with any disrespect, as the Bill is part of the programme for Government and the issue in question...
- Seanad: Climate Change Response Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: The consequences will be more serious than many imagine. We discuss world hunger. What we are doing through this Bill will tie future production levels.
- Seanad: Climate Change Response Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: I did not say whether I support the Bill. However, I will comment on it on Second Stage. That is my right as much as it is Senator Bacik's, yet I did not interrupt her.
- Seanad: Climate Change Response Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: If we are going to go further than our European colleagues we will have serious problems with regard to our future competitiveness. As I said before Senator Bacik's intervention, world hunger exists and we are entitled to make a contribution towards its alleviation. Should we tie people's hands and prevent them from producing more food in this country? The most productive part of our...
- Seanad: Climate Change Response Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: No. I have a little rule which I observe unless there is some serious reason to break it and after 33 years I have not broken it. The House should have a full debate on all the areas covered by the Bill, not alone the consequences of climate change but the need to consider the new technologies. Such a discussion would result in a very constructive Bill which would have the approval of all....
- Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2011: Order for Second Stage (19 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: I move: "That Second Stage be taken today."
- Seanad: Road Traffic Bill 2011: Second Stage (19 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: Like Senator Donohoe, we all welcome this legislation. I ask the Minister to clarify some points. The discretion for the initial testing of a person involved in a collision will lie with the Garda SÃochána, unless a person has been seriously injured. Who will determine the seriousness of the injury? What training will be provided to the Garda SÃochána? I am acting as the devil's...
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: I have to laugh at the political posturing by individuals in both Houses over recent weeks. Some are shouting they want an election but do not have the guts to vote for the Finance Bill.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: They want the current Government to introduce it so they can have a clean slate, as they see it, when they get into power. People must examine the sincerity of what was said by some politicians of all parties over recent weeks.
- Seanad: Order of Business (26 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: I did not interrupt Senator Norris. It has never been my practice to interrupt others if I can avoid it. I am sick and tired of some of the stuff being put out by political parties which want to be in government but whose policies are diverse as Sunday and Monday. There are others who have left government but now feel, because they are outside, they can play an independent role claiming...
- Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (26 Jan 2011)
John Ellis: I have a distinction not shared by any other Member of the House. I served with Senator Séamus Dolan and had the honour of supporting his candidacy as Cathaoirleach in 1977. This is a sad day, and we welcome BrÃd and the Dolan family to the House. For them, this is the closing of a chapter. His membership of the House, which lasted for more than 20 years, was as important to them as it...