Results 1,481-1,500 of 4,676 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (14 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the councils and the Traveller community representatives for their input. An open and frank debate on what is happening is long overdue. I believe the Traveller accommodation programme has not delivered for various reasons. It has been admitted by the three local authorities present that the money has not been drawn down. I raised the issue with the Minister who pointed out that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (14 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I want to know what we are doing. Are we going to pass on the report? What is the next step?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: Traveller Accommodation: Discussion (14 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I am not here to attack the local authorities, some of which are doing a good job. I have a great relationship with most of the people involved, but many of the issues outlined are not being tackled in a cohesive way. The point that some local authorities are carrying out their functions better than others is fair. That is an issue the committee might explore.

Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Two reports recently completed on behalf of Dublin City Council and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland found the majority of inner-city flats surveyed did not meet basic standards and did not even have planning permission.

Order of Business (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: In one case, nine flats in one building had the most terrible sanitation and no proper toilet facilities. Will the Taoiseach outline when the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 will return to the House? Is any legislation planned to deal with this appalling vista whereby for monetary gain landlords are abusing the system no end?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Provision (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 2. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he is making to work with CIÉ and its subsidiaries to develop a plan to ensure adequate funding for public transport services into the long term avoiding further run down of service and protecting the pay and conditions of ordinary workers. [23296/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Provision (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister for his response. It is important to point out that the cut to the subsidy last year was approximately €5 million. The cost-cutting measures being sought in the company at present are to the value of approximately €5 million. Our subvention is one of the lowest in Europe and I do not understand what the Department has done in the negotiations with Dublin...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Provision (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: There are alternatives. There are people on higher pay in Bus Éireann and other companies, including the CEOs who are paid an awful amount. Something like €4 million extra is paid in fuel for Bus Éireann so what about the fuel rebate? We could look at those areas. The chairman of Bus Éireann is sitting in Abu Dhabi and appears to be more dedicated to Etihad than to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Provision (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Pencil it in.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Provision (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Will the Minister answer the question about the Bus Éireann chairman not being present in all of this?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Provision (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Can I get the Minister's answer on that point? I would like to know why the chairman has not come back in the middle of a crisis where people will lose €4,000 or €5,000 from their wages. That is what is being imposed on ordinary workers. As a matter of courtesy, we need to find out about the chairman.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Transport Provision (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: For God's sake.

Other Questions: Industrial Disputes (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: It has been reported that an attack on a Dublin Bus driver in Parnell Square yesterday was racist in nature. A number of attacks on ordinary bus drivers have been taken place, not all of them racist, and they must be condemned by all Members of the House. The bus drivers in Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann who must take such risks are having cuts in pay imposed on them. In the case of the...

Other Questions: Road Projects Status (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister for his reply. He stated that the National Roads Authority, NRA, was considering a public-private partnership, PPP, for the N5, but it is important that we consider all alternatives. The Minister outlined the number of capital projects, but it has been reported that he would consider other main projects if there was extra money. The N4 and N5 are important. The north...

Good Friday Agreement: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: The Good Friday Agreement is one of the most important achievements of 20th century Ireland. It was achieved thanks to the hard work of many dedicated people, including quite a few in the House, and we must honour that achievement with our own dedication to implementing the Agreement and what flowed from it. I wish to address an issue that affects a large number of people and their...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Policy (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 35. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to pursue all-island tourism cooperation; his future plans in regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22856/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: The Gathering Expenditure (15 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 45. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the way the €7m allocated by his Department for the Gathering will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22850/13]

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (16 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: It is a very difficult time to be a small business operator, a sole trader. The cost of doing business is high and the amount of cash available for people to spend is getting smaller and smaller. These are bad conditions for the operation of a business, and in such times people who are self-employed need support and help. That is not to say we should subsidise or prop up unviable...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (16 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: The Minister and Minister of State are putting the livelihoods of many families at risk. There are quite a large number of former political prisoners who have found work as taxi drivers. They have worked without issue for years. They are known to be pillars of their communities, hard-working and honest. They should not have to beg for their jobs. I am a former political prisoner. Many...

Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (16 May 2013)

Dessie Ellis: There is plenty of time for amendments. I have raised this matter countless times and the Minister of State knows that. He should not be trying to pass the buck. All legislation moved through this House should honour the international agreements signed by the State. Would the Minister of State argue that it was a matter for Deputy Lucinda Creighton if a Bill he produced was not in...