Results 2,921-2,940 of 4,672 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (1 Oct 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 472. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if, as per the Environment Committee's recommendation in May, he has agreed to introduce regulations requiring local authorities in future to give a detailed explanation of the reason they have not spent/drawn or down moneys allocated to them by his Department; the steps they have taken to provide housing to members...

Topical Issue Debate: Homelessness Strategy (26 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Since 2008 there has been a cut of almost €1 billion in the housing budget. The National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, has only delivered 400 units. Next year, Dublin City Council will only build 18 houses, aside from the regeneration projects. This is an absolute tragedy. Local authorities are unable to turn over their properties because they do not have the money to do so....

Topical Issue Debate: Homelessness Strategy (26 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Homelessness is one of the biggest crises facing us today. Approximately 5,000 people are homeless and according to Focus Ireland, seven new people report each day. This is an increase of 88% in rough sleepers. In addition, there also has been a huge rise in the number of people using the homeless services provided by the Peter McVerry Trust, Simon and Focus Ireland. This year there was a...

Order of Business (26 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: A Bill is due before the House to provide for a new tenant purchase scheme for local authorities and for the repossession of local authority dwellings, as well as a new scheme of housing assistance payments. When is this housing (miscellaneous provisions) Bill due before the House? Section 62 of that Bill is very important for local authorities.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (26 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 38. To ask the Minister for Health the supports he has provided and will provide to persons who contracted narcolepsy as a result of being vaccinated by the flu vaccine Pandemrix; if he will provide a full medical card in each case, access to international medical expertise, access to new drug treatments where appropriate, the official recognition of narcolepsy as a disability; and if he will...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (26 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: 51. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that all children diagnosed with cancer are granted, or allowed to retain, medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40038/13]

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I do not agree with the Minister of State. The single licenceholders are not getting fair representation on the taxi advisory committee.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I move amendment No. 97: In page 57, subsection (4), between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following:“(b) at least 1 person representing the interests of the multiple taxi licence holders,”.There is a perception that multiple taxi licenceholders have a bigger say than the ordinary licenceholders.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I move amendment No. 98: In page 58, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following subsection:“(5) The chairperson shall be required to attend a special meeting of the responsible Oireachtas Committee at least once every two years from the commencement of this section. All other members of the Advisory Committee shall also be available to attend these special meetings at the request...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Is the Minister of State supporting me now?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Will the Minister of State clarify some points on the direct award of contracts? It does not seem to go with the principle for open tendering.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I move amendment No. 94: In page 55, subsection (2), line 13, after “2009.” to insert the following:“Any excess income after expenses will where possible be used by way of grant schemes to offset a portion of the cost to licence holders in meeting standards in relation to branding and vehicle This amendment concerns the excess fees raised by the authority. Could they be...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I would like to press this amendment because there have been a lot of extra costs for taxi drivers generally, whether through signage, portals or otherwise. They are being penalised a lot, so I wish to press the amendment.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I move amendment No. 95: In page 57, subsection (4)(a), lines 31 and 32, to delete “small public service vehicle and driver interests” and substitute “single licence holder drivers”.Single licence holders are not properly represented on the advisory council, so a better mechanism is needed. They make up the bulk of licences, yet they are not being properly...

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I seek clarification. Does that take away the need for the court to make people aware of any suspension of the licence? I wish to clarify whether that is the case.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: The impression that has been given is that licences will be suspended but the courts will not make people aware of the suspension.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Yes.

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Amendment No. 78 reduces the number of days by two for a person to pay a fixed fine. Is that necessary?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: Is that the same as the reduced time to pay specified in amendment No. 80?

Committee on Transport and Communications: Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Taxi Regulation Bill 2012: Committee Stage (25 Sep 2013)

Dessie Ellis: I move amendment No. 50: In page 35, subsection 1, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following:“(d) excluding offences covered by the terms of the Good Friday Agreement 1998.”.There are three parts to this. Again, I ask the Minister to consider looking at including this.