Results 2,701-2,720 of 4,672 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

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 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...

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.

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....

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]

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

Dessie Ellis: 27. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the cost to date of the Luas cross city project including the renting and staffing of the public office and the current estimated time for completion. [54260/13]

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...

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...

Leaders' Questions (17 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: That is nonsense.

Leaders' Questions (17 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: The money should be put into infrastructure rather than meters.

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]

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I do not really have any problem with these amendments. I wish to ask about learner drivers and drivers with provisional licences who drive unaccompanied by a qualified person. There are a large number of such people out there and we are imposing penalty points. I do not know how the law will be enforced. I suspect there are a large number of people doing this and renewing their...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Yes - two penalty points for a learner permit holder driving unaccompanied by a person with a full driving licence.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Does the amendment include a doctor travelling in his car to the scene of an accident? A doctor is not specifically mentioned.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill: Committee Stage (11 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: On balance I support Deputy McEntee's amendment. If somebody received three points on two occasions he or she would have six penalty points, which is a harsh penalty for two offences. With six penalty points a young driver or a person with a provisional licence would be put off the road, but by increasing the number to seven we are giving them a little extra leverage. One can argue from...

Topical Issue Debate: National Food Bank (11 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: It is believed that, globally, one third of the world's food goes to waste. Unsurprisingly, the bulk of that waste is in the Western world - in Europe and the United States. Of course, to address global hunger fully, we need a radical shift in the distribution of wealth but, more locally, we can also help to ease the suffering of those currently economically oppressed by putting in place an...

Topical Issue Debate: National Food Bank (11 Dec 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the Minister of State. There is no doubt a huge amount of work is done by the charities, and the Minister of State referred to 563 charities which are delivering different items, which is very worthwhile. However, it is clear there is a huge loss of food from other sources. As I said, Aldi indicated it had to get rid of €10 million worth of surplus food, which is scandalous....