Results 741-760 of 4,698 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Written Answers — Prison Service: Prison Service (8 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 82: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has ever examined the proposal to establish a position of Prisoners Ombudsman; the details of their costing analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22674/12]

Written Answers — Prison Service: Prison Service (8 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 106: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce legislation to create a position of Prisoners Ombudsman. [22673/12]

Taxi Regulations (9 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 2: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the rationale for the reintroduction of the nine year rule on taxis; the evidence used to determine the effectiveness of this policy in terms of improving safety. [23326/12]

Taxi Regulations (9 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: The taxi regulation review has come up with a number of good ideas but I do not agree with some of their recommendations. The main issues that the taxi industry faces at present are oversupply and proper enforcement. The proposals to phase out vehicles that are older than nine years suggests that we operate differently from other countries in Europe and America. Some of the yellow taxis in...

Taxi Regulations (9 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I brought this matter to Dublin City Council a few years ago when I was a councillor and all Labour councillors supported not having a nine-year rule. Action 10, which the Minister of State mentioned, clearly outlines why this is being done. It states that the system was based on vehicle inspection and mileage, and that it was too expensive to develop and operate. We have been operating...

Road Safety Education (9 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I agree with the Minister. It is important that we improve teaching in this area in schools. I note, too, we have a fairly good record in road safety. In 2009, an OECD report on road deaths and risks in Ireland showed fewer deaths per capita, per vehicle and per billion vehicular kilometre than in Finland. I know we can improve but if we are beating Finland we must be doing something right.

Public Transport (9 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: This is a great initiative and it should be rolled out further. I was very surprised to see it in large working-class areas and it is working very well. There have been complaints but, by and large, it is very good. The apps have been a major success, with tens of thousands of people downloading various apps that provide information. Initiatives such as this could encourage visitors to...

Sale of State Assets (9 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: It is disappointing that we are even considering the sale of Aer Lingus, which has been a flagship for this country for so many years. If we were to sell it at today's price of 97 cent per share, it would bring in approximately €160 million. In terms of a cost-benefit analysis, I do not know whether we would get value from selling it off given the effect on tourism, the jobs we have lost...

Sale of State Assets (9 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Yes.

Sale of State Assets (9 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: We have done that.

Sale of State Assets (9 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: We have.

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (9 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 28: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the taxi industry reform group; the legislation that is planned and the work done to inform taxi drivers of these changes and the effects on their business. [23043/12]

Written Answers — Electric Vehicles: Electric Vehicles (9 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 111: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to further encourage the use of low emission and electric cars; and if he will indicate any studies or research being carried out to develop evidence based policy on this matter. [23033/12]

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (9 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 152: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the rise in harbour fees in places such as Dingle, County Kerry and Howth, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23038/12]

Leaders' Questions (10 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: The Tánaiste knows about that.

Leaders' Questions (10 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: That is their political decision. It has nothing to do with this Government.

Housing Aid (10 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Chair for selecting this topic and the Minister of State for attending. He will be aware there is a serious crisis developing across the State in regard to shared ownership. People on the housing list and-or on low income availed of this facility in recent years. Applicants had to provide proof of two refusals from private lenders to avail of this loan. This week alone, three...

Housing Aid (10 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: I hope the measures the Minister is preparing for the local authorities will address the issues raised. It would be a tragedy if we end up with people on local authority housing lists and in receipt of rent subsidy because we cannot leave them in their homes. It is financially viable to leave them in their homes. Dublin City Council has debts of €40 million in respect of affordable...

Written Answers — Animal Feedstuffs: Animal Feedstuffs (10 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 14: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the current unseasonable weather continues into the summer and the effect that this has on grass yields, if there are plans in place to assist farmers with feed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23343/12]

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (10 May 2012)

Dessie Ellis: Question 116: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to resolve the issue whereby non principal private residence charges are being accumulated along with large late fees and penalties on many homes due to lack of awareness of this charge by property owners who would if aware from the first date payment was due would have been happy to pay. [23547/12]