Results 1,401-1,420 of 4,674 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (20 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if taxi drivers will be able to apply decal branding to their taxis which is bilingual; or if they will be able to affix one in English and one in Irish on either side. [14100/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Social Media: Discussion (Resumed) with Google and Digital Rights Ireland (20 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank Ms Duke for her presentation. YouTube has a massive network and a phenomenal number of people use it. It has enhanced society massively, but, as politicians, we always hear about the negatives. We do not hear the good comments. We constantly receive representations about bullying, suicide, abuse and defamation. I assume the company has a legal department to offer advice on these...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Social Media: Discussion (Resumed) with Google and Digital Rights Ireland (20 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the delegation for its presentation. I know it says that traditional rights must be protected online as well offline. Are there any laws that are missing with regard to this? It mentioned different areas where there are many protections but are there any areas where protections are missing? If someone is using a computer of smartphone, are there any powers to seize those devices...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Social Media: Discussion (Resumed) with Google and Digital Rights Ireland (20 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Overseas intelligence networks identified particular words. Does the delegation believe this is acceptable? Does it think people should be able to monitor phone calls in a similar way? I was going to talk about Twitter because some stations have a slight delay so they can monitor messages before they broadcast them. Is that the normal process? Does the delegation have an opinion as to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Social Media: Discussion (Resumed) with Google and Digital Rights Ireland (20 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: In some programmes, the broadcaster reads out the tweets and they also appear on screen. Is there any difference in law between the two? I always believed that there was a delay, during which time the texts were monitored. Is the broadcaster and its background staff responsible?

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Banking Sector (21 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress being made on the Programme for Government commitment to seek to dispose of the public stakes in the banks as soon as possible at the best possible return to the taxpayer. [14064/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Resolution Processes (21 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on whether it is acceptable that a State-owned bank is forcing mortgage holders to sign non-disclosure clauses which contain indefinite time periods of confidentiality before the bank will engage in mortgage restructuring discussions with the mortgage holder. [14077/13]

Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Order for Report Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I am opposed to the Bill but do not have an argument with the amendment the Minister of State wishes to propose. I am satisfied with that. On Committee State, we tabled an amendment that was ruled out of order on the basis that there was a cost to the State. I firmly believe many people were let down in the motor industry. In 2008, in particular, when people were asked by the previous...

Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Order for Report Stage (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I disagree with what is occurring. The €1 billion or so should be going to local authorities to deal with the roads, potholes, etc. Some €150 million of this is to be used to assist in paying off the national debt. I object to this, and there was an amendment put to that effect.

Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I do not believe that the Title of this Bill reflects what is occurring. I certainly agree with Deputy Murphy in that regard. That €150 million is being taken from approximately €1 billion in revenue to pay off the national debt is a scam and a shame. In our constituencies, we note the number of potholes and roads requiring maintenance. There are unfinished estates on which...

Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: The Minister of State mentioned the Finance Bill. We know this measure is contained in that Bill. Nobody is saying this proposal is being introduced without having been previously flagged. The point we are making is that motor tax receipts should go to local authorities for the purposes outlined. I find it difficult to understand the reason Fianna Fáil, which introduced the emissions...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Railway Safety Issues (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of manual road crossings still in place on the rail network; and if he plans to phase these out due to negative effects on traffic congestion and public safety concerns. [15424/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Railway Safety Issues (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I know the Minister of State is aware that there are approximately 1,000 railway crossings that are manually operated across the State. This is a problem. While there has been progress, I am concerned when I hear the Minister of State say this matter is the responsibility of Iarnród Éireann. It is the responsibility of the Department and the Minister of State should tell...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Railway Safety Issues (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I mentioned Athenry, but there was also an issue because there was no manual override of the automatic system. This is another problem in terms of health and safety. This was promised at Athenry, but it has not yet been delivered. In a situation where a train service is delayed or some other unforeseen event occurs, there should be a backup system to help resolve the issue. I accept that...

Other Questions: Public Transport (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. There is no doubt the cuts to the public transport system, in particular the cut in the Government subsidy, year on year, has led to serious cuts in public transport, particularly in Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann services, which have led to a lack of services for passengers in a number of areas. I know this from what...

Other Questions: Public Transport (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: There have been some very good improvements. Integrated ticketing has been a massive improvement, as have the bus signs which have been very successful in making times available to people as they are standing at bus stops. However, if we continue to cut the subsidy to these networks, we will end up with more cuts and less people on public transport. I know the Minister of State said in the...

Other Questions: Sponsorship of Sporting Events (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: This subject was debated at today's meeting of the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications which was attended by the chief executive officers of the three main sports of rugby, soccer and the GAA. They have serious concerns about a restriction on advertising and sponsorship. They outlined issues such as the effect on local clubs. In my area it is often the case that a local club...

Other Questions: Tourism Capital Investment Programme (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Certainly, some of the initiatives which have been introduced, including the change to VAT, have done wonders. I have received good reports. Are we satisfied that in all cases the VAT reduction has been passed on by the industry? Are there instances in which people have abused the reduction by failing to pass on the cut? I do not know. I have...

Other Questions: Tourism Capital Investment Programme (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Could the Minister of State say something about Moore Street?

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Issues (27 Mar 2013)

Dessie Ellis: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with representatives of the photo ID industry to address their concerns over a threat to their livelihood by changes to the driver licence format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15049/13]