Results 1,961-1,980 of 4,676 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Written Answers — Department of Health: Prescription Charges (17 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 618. To ask the Minister for Health if there is legislation in place to stop a pharmacy absorbing the cost of the prescription charge instead of passing it on to customers. [54256/13]

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (18 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I welcome this Bill, which represents a long overdue beginning to a resolution of the pyrite scandal. It has been nearly a year and a half since the pyrite report was published. I pay tribute to Sandra and Peter Lewis and others in the Pyrite Action Group for their sterling work in pressuring and lobbying TDs and the Government to address the debacle that has resulted in this terrible...

Planning and Development (Transparency and Consumer Confidence) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (18 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom tacaíocht a thabhairt don Bille seo. I commend Deputy Catherine Murphy on her hard work and determination in tackling a tricky subject that has troubled the State for many years. This is an imperfect Bill, but it is one that, if allowed to progress through the House, can be a positive step for planning law in the State. To have had a property...

Other Questions: Public Transport Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: It is most disappointing to hear a Labour Party Minister defend the privatisation of part of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. The wording “opening up to tendering” is, without doubt, opening the door to privatisation. The Government’s attitude seems to be to blame it on the NTA, but the decision was an ideological one taken at Cabinet level.

Other Questions: Public Transport Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I would like to know whether a cost-benefit analysis was carried out. The PSO subsidy is in place. Will savings accrue from it? As far as I can see, that seems to be one of the issues involved. Will it lead to a reduction in passenger numbers? A significant effort has been put into Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann to increase passenger numbers and put a proper public system in place....

Business of Dáil (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I take it that the Minister did not drink it.

Business of Dáil (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: No, it is not. I accept that.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I ask that care be taken to ensure the categorisation scheme is consistent and is managed by highly qualified experts, because there is disagreement in certain places about the extent of pyritic damage. The problem needs to be properly assessed. I am concerned that properties assigned to the second category will be left on the long finger because funding will be prioritised to repair the...

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Before the Leas-Cheann Comhairle puts the question, I merely want to ask why some of the amendments have been ruled out of order. In the past, we have been told such amendments involve a cost to the Exchequer, etc. A number of amendments - Nos. 4, 5, 7 and 17 - are being discussed together.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I merely want an explanation, because we are all not happy about the process and the way this has gone. The Bill is being rushed through. We want to get this through, but following a proper debate, because there are many issues that we all raised on the last occasion here in the Dáil. It is clear that this is going through, much like the previous Bill, the Water Services (No. 2) Bill....

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: The Minister indicated that there was opposition and that the Cabinet had sat down to discuss the levy and who would pay for it. We have received no explanation as to who was objecting to this levy and the legal reasons behind it. I do not know whether he is in a position to elaborate. Was it the insurance sector, the building sector or representatives of the quarries, or was it a...

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I tabled amendments proposing that the chairperson of the board would report regularly to the Oireachtas joint committee. The Minister indicated that he might consider accepting that proposal and the reporting could be on a yearly or other basis. I am not doubting the Minister's commitment or what he has said but it would useful for us to be advised of how matters are progressing.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Is Amendment No. 11 included in this grouping?

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Okay.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I move amendment No. 6:In page 11, line 3, after "Minister" to insert "with approval of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment".I am just getting my papers.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Are we on section 11? I did not catch the numbers.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: That is what I meant. It was to include additional wording to the effect that the appointment of the board should have the approval of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. That is common sense. We tend to examine the appointments of chairmen and other people to different boards and this is just a similar request, which is a simple one.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Yes, I will press it.

Pyrite Resolution Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister and his officials for their work. Much more is needed to address the issue, but this is a major step and it is important that the step be taken. I thank the Pyrite Action Group and people such as Ms Sandra Lewis, who worked tirelessly to get it to this point. I acknowledge that Shane McEntee did great work in this area, as did many others. I hope the Minister will...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Tolls (19 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on his work with the Stormont Assembly in order to lobby the British Government in relation to the proposed HGV levy and the threat it poses to cross border trade. [54259/13]