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

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Vacant Housing (Refurbishment) Bill 2017: Discussion (23 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the witnesses for their presentation. Everyone here is singing from the same hymn sheet about what we want to see. There is huge frustration that we are not delivering quickly enough and that there are a series of obstacles, including planning, fire safety etc. That is why we think Deputy Cowen's Bill could help to create a package that will be delivered quickly. It has not been...

Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: There is no more open expression of hostility to some of our most vulnerable and deprived citizens than the appalling use of anti-homeless spikes. The cynical term describing these inhuman barbs is "defensive architecture". With whom do these people think they are at war? What are they defending against? The city belongs to everyone as does the space within it. There are some positive...

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Insurance Costs (16 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: It is disappointing to hear that we have to rely on the market and the insurance companies. Motor insurance premiums vary considerably from company to company. We all have had experience of that. It is scandalous to see elderly people coming into my clinic and breaking down because of the pressure they have been put under in terms of them being concerned about being able to continue to...

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Insurance Costs (16 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: It has become apparent that insurance companies are applying an unfair loading to motor insurance policies for elderly people. Premium costs have been rising rapidly for several years, with motorists having loadings imposed on their policies for different reasons. The most annoying reason of all is where insurers have applied substantial increases because of drivers' ages. Pensioners, who...

Housing (Homeless Families) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: Go raibh maith agat. Ba mhaith liom tacaíocht a thabhairt don Bhille seo, atá curtha chun cinn ag an Teachta O'Sullivan. Táimid an-bhuíoch di. In the Taoiseach's world, everything is going just right. That is what the Taoiseach and his Department of spin seem to want us to believe anyway. This entitled Taoiseach has a feckless and dilettante attitude to the most...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (15 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: The Taoiseach do not even know that there is homelessness.

Order of Business (14 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: The legislation covering overcrowding in the private rented sector is very weak and in serious need of an overhaul. Recent reports show that some landlords have up to 15 people living in some rooms. This is an indictment and shows a lack of proper scrutiny and oversight in this sector. It shows there are still huge gaps in our legislation. Will the Taoiseach, his Cabinet or his Minister...

Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Report: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: I would like to acknowledge the family, friends and supporters in the Gallery. I am glad to see Vera there. I wish her and her daughter all the best. We are not dealing with the legalisation of cannabis. However, we should make medicinal cannabis available to those who require it for medicinal purposes where it is deemed medically necessary and is prescribed by a medical practitioner in...

Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Report: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: That is nonsense.

Cannabis for Medicinal Use Regulation Bill 2016 Report: Motion [Private Members] (9 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: I will call it out.

Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (8 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: Cuirim fáilte roimh an mBille seo, ach freisin na leasuithe atá ceangailte leis. I welcome this Bill and the proposed amendments. Up to this point, the Irish Government has failed to introduce a new socio-economic status ground in equality legislation. This Bill will go some way towards ensuring Ireland meets its obligations under both EU and international law. It will, in...

Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: In the programme for Government, the Taoiseach indicated his support for regeneration projects. While investment in the physical regeneration of Ballymun carried out by Ballymun Regeneration Limited, effectively Dublin City Council, is somewhat complete, there are residual social and economic deficiencies. One obvious glaring gap in the completion of the project is the development of a...

Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: It is directed at both.

Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: I resent that.

Questions on Promised Legislation (8 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: They are exemplary.

Water Services Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (8 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: Sinn Féin opposes this legislation. In terms of the water charges, we have witnessed on the streets how people's power has this Government and Fianna Fáil in its tracks. We fought this for many years in the local authorities where it was clear there was a push towards privatisation. The Minister is trying to introduce charges through the back door. We are opposed to that and...

Private Rental Sector Standards: Motion [Private Members] (7 Nov 2017)

Dessie Ellis: We all know from history the atrocious conditions of the 19th century that led to Victorian slums. We also know about the unscrupulous individuals and the conditions that led to the rise of Victorian slums and slum landlords: a housing shortage, overcrowding, homelessness leading to poor sanitary conditions, and the lack of tenants' rights. Shockingly, these factors are no different from...

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Oct 2017)

Dessie Ellis: There is a prediction the population of the country will increase by between 400,000 and 1.1 million by 2030. Currently, the M50, especially at peak hours, resembles a large car park and is virtually, if not already, at its peak. Throughout Dublin, traffic congestion now poses a real threat to economic development and growth. In the programme for Government, under the heading of public...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Accommodation Provision (26 Oct 2017)

Dessie Ellis: 22. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of his plan to end the use of hotels, bed and breakfasts and similar accommodation for homeless persons; if his targets are being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45103/17]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Public Private Partnerships Data (26 Oct 2017)

Dessie Ellis: 28. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the housing PPPs; the timeframe for their delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45104/17]