Results 2,021-2,040 of 4,673 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Revised) (4 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: We are continuing to apply 9% VAT rate to hospitality services. That has been a great initiative in terms of creating employment and the catering industry has benefitted. The number of tourists coming to the country has increased dramatically. Now that we are coming toward 2016, I would like to see more emphasis on the preparation for some of the event that will take place. We need to...

Topical Issue Debate: Property Tax Exemptions (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister of State for attending and the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue. By definition, tenants are not the owners of a property. They may have rights in a property, but these are limited and only for the period of their tenancy and with the agreement of their landlord. They are far less powerful in this regard than those who own their homes, ignoring the fact that...

Topical Issue Debate: Property Tax Exemptions (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: It is important to realise that the local property tax has only been frozen until 2016 and that after that date, we will see a huge jump in the charge across the country. This will affect everyone but, in particular, the least well-off in society, local authority tenants. It is not good enough to say it is at the discretion of local authorities as to whether the charge should be imposed....

Topical Issue Debate: Property Tax Exemptions (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: The Deputy knows the truth. Labour Party councillors voted against the proposed 15% reduction.

Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: The programme for Government promised additional resources for mental health services. It also contained a commitment to undertake a full review of the mental health strategy, A Vision for Change. However, this appears to have been taken off the agenda. Almost 1,000 nurses will leave the health service this year, including a substantial number in the mental health service. The Government...

Order of Business (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I will do that.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: There has been a huge increase in rail passenger numbers, with great potential for further increases. However, rail services are lacking in several parts of the country. For example, in the north east the rail system is practically non-existent. In regard to connectivity in our main cities, I hope that the Minister shares my vision regarding the need for rail connectivity between Dublin,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister for his reply. I agree that the Leap card has proven to be very successful and has improved the lives of many commuters. However, I believe there is a need for discussion between the Minister and his counterpart in the North on the cross-Border ticketing issue. It is important that there is connectivity across the whole of the island of Ireland, including Derry and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 127. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the future of the public rail network under Irish Rail; and the way it will be better integrated with the wider public transport network. [4668/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: As the Minister said, there are huge gaps in our rail network and we need better integration with the wider public transport networks. What plans does the Minister have to improve and integrate our rail system and to keep it in public ownership? That is very important. Connectivity in this country is a huge issue. The whole north east has no rail network. Is there any sign that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: Pensions must also be considered. There was a debacle with the pensions of the Irish airlines superannuation scheme, IASS. Other areas must be examined beyond connectivity and tourism. It is important we examine this carefully. When senior executives stand to make €30 million, it is in their interests to sell off our airline. That seems to be how things have moved. The drive...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 124. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the State's stake in Aer Lingus; and the maintenance of its Heathrow slots which are vital to the Irish economy. [4666/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: There are huge concerns not just among the public but in various representative groups about any potential sale of Aer Lingus. Those concerns were expressed at the recent meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications by unions, employers' bodies, Enterprise Ireland, representatives of tourism and other groups. Within our economy tourism numbers have been greatly...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: It is widely reported that IAG has offered to secure these slots for five years. That is not worth the paper on which it is written. In the past we have seen how companies come and go and how they change over time. In a previous takeover in England it was agreed that a position regarding slots would last for three to five years. Then, the regulator moved in and said a certain number of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I thank everyone for their presentation. Everyone seems to be agreed there are enormous implications for the sale if it takes place. We have heard differing views. I would certainly be worried about the issue, which has not been mentioned, of job losses. IAG, if it was to take over here, would start trimming the workforce and start to bring it up to what it wants. I note IAG stated it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Proposed Sale of Aer Lingus: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: It was brought to our attention that there was a takeover bid previously and that after five years the regulator in England ruled, in regard to the Heathrow slots, that it was contrary to best practice that the airline could dominate those, so it was forced to sell slots in the past. It must be borne in mind that we could face that after a five year period.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dublin Bus Services (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 137. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the plans for the Swiftway rapid bus services; and if he will make a commitment to keep the service under the operation of Dublin Bus. [4341/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cross-Border Co-operation (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for improving cross border transport links; and if he will commit to meeting with his counterparts in Stormont to discuss improvements in access and planning of transport services [4343/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Process (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 155. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the implementation of Part 4 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2012 and the relevant Schedules; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some gardaí have been meeting with some taxi licence holders and telling them they will be disqualified upon implementation; and if this is correct procedure. [4340/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulations (3 Feb 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he had discussions with the National Transport Authority regarding the changes to the taxi fares model and that consultative process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4342/15]