Results 2,101-2,120 of 4,674 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation (10 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: 147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for an Educate Together secondary school in Ballymun, Dublin 11. [47359/14]

Palestine: Motion [Private Members] (9 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: It is a great honour to speak on this important motion. As an Irish republican I am always mindful that we as a nation once stood before the world and demanded the recognition that had up until then been denied to us. The 1916 Proclamation called for our exaltation among the nations. In the Declaration of Independence we claimed for ourselves the recognition of the world that we were an...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Housing Rents (9 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I agree that the practice in local authorities varies. That needs to be sorted out because it has been a hindrance and certainly has not been fair. I am totally in agreement with the Minister on that. I am worried that in some ways this may cost a bit more. I mentioned the senior citizens and those who made financial contributions. Many of them made considerable contributions and ended...

Topical Issue Debate: Local Authority Housing Rents (9 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: Over the past three years, there has been much austerity coming from the Government. This has made life harder for struggling people on low and middle incomes. Some of the lowest paid and most vulnerable in society are tenants of local authorities. This is because of the very narrow parameters one has to fit between in order to be able to apply for social housing and the even more narrow...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Supplementary) (9 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I was specifically referring to a report to the effect that there were two projects and that there was funding available from the EU. Metro North was mentioned, I am trying to think of the other one----

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (Supplementary) (9 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister and his staff for attending. Nearly every year, there is a supplement. The €162 million is being divided up, with public transport and road improvements receiving huge extra amounts of money. Where do we get this money? Is it purely from the lottery or the sale of assets? Can the Minister explain how we have dug up this money? With regard to road improvement...

Water Services Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: The recent announcements made by the Government on water charges which form part of the Bill are simply an attempt by it to stave off an early general election in the hope it may be able to hold enough seats to retain power in a slightly altered set-up. The changes were not about the Government embracing fairness or trying to protect people who were struggling from another charge which they...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (4 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: The long-service deferred members of the IASS are very upset that the Minister has decided to move on the implementation of the State Airports Act, which allowed for the restructuring of IASS pensions. The deferred members are now facing a loss of 50% of their pensions, which should not happen to anyone. The Minister is washing his hands of responsibility and blaming the trustees. If the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (4 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: Can the Minister not do something further on this? He should meet the Minister for Social Protection to come up with a solution. This is a viable company with money and other assets. These people should not be thrown to the wolves. Just because they are deferred members and their pensions have not kicked in yet does not mean they are not suffering the brunt of the cuts in many cases.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (4 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: The Minister has said that if he had not signed the order the whole scheme would have been in trouble. However, he should not sign something at the expense of one group of workers whose pensions have been cut by 40% to 50%. That is bad policy and sets a bad precedent. I am glad the Minister is meting the deferred members and I hope he comes up with some solution. Surely money can be found...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (4 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: 2. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will seek a meeting with the Department of Social Protection with representatives of the deferred members of the Irish aviation superannuation scheme in order to plan for a resolution to avoid the large cuts these members are being asked to take in their pensions. [46498/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (4 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I ask the Minister to seek a meeting with the Minister for Social Protection and representatives of the deferred members of the Irish aviation superannuation scheme in order to plan for a resolution to avoid the large cuts these members are being asked to take in their pensions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications: Fuel Fraud: Revenue Commissioners (3 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I thank Mr. Moran and Mr. Butler for their presentation. Most of this activity seems to be concentrated in specific areas in the west, and counties Roscommon and Meath. It does not seem to occur so much in the south. Is there a particular reason those areas are mainly targeted? There might be a bit in Dublin but it does not seem to hit the radar as much. There is obviously co-operation...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Staff (3 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: 28. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of workers outsourced at each of the State backed banks; and the plans of each of the banks to outsource further. [45967/14]

Topical Issue Debate: Homeless Accommodation Provision (2 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: Since the Government took office, we have had a major housing crisis. I extend my sympathy to the family and friends of Mr. Jonathan Corrie who died only a stone's throw from Leinster House. I hope his death has finally kicked the Government into action. The Government's recent proposals on housing placed little emphasis on the emergency housing crisis. It is clear that the increase in...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (2 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: 99. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the way the funding for traveller accommodation will be allocated; and the measures in place to ensure that there is sufficient draw down of funds. [40938/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Housing Assistance Payments Administration (2 Dec 2014)

Dessie Ellis: 116. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the implementation of the housing assistance payment; the number of households currently in receipt of the payment; the average rent payment being made; and if there are any difficulties with the scheme. [40937/14]

Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report Stage (27 Nov 2014)

Dessie Ellis: I also support the amendment. It is very much like registering a car in that it is registered by county. I do not see any reason any other port should be excluded, particularly any port with a long history. On that basis, I believe it is fair enough to say the ports should be recognised. There should be an ability to transfer from one to the other.

Human Rights Budgeting: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (26 Nov 2014)

Dessie Ellis: As republicans, equality is at the heart of all we believe in and we strive to achieve it every day in the course of our work and activism. We believe in a new Republic, one where all citizens are equal regardless of the colour of their skin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, where they live or what they do. Creating the conditions for establishing an equal society means recognising...

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2014)

Dessie Ellis: The Taoiseach did not listen hard enough.