Results 1,581-1,600 of 4,672 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: It would nearly-----

Public Transport Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I will not take the full 21 minutes, because I have already spoken-----

Public Transport Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I made a number of points relating to this Bill previously. Today I wish to make the Minister aware of further issues of concern. The Bill refers to the Rail Safety Act 2005, which makes reference to fostering greater competition. What kind of competitive vision does the Government foresee in the future of the railways? I struggle to imagine, in practical terms, how various private...

Order of Business (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: It is getting worse.

Order of Business (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, has stated that he would introduce rent controls or, as he called them, "rent certainty". When I asked about this matter, I was repeatedly told that the Minister was considering introducing legislation. We have a crisis. It has been described by eminent people as a humanitarian crisis.

Order of Business (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: Once again, I am asking whether we can introduce emergency legislation to address this situation. Is any being considered? I have received the same answer repeatedly, namely, that we would see the legislation before Christmas. A Bill is not even on the clár. The situation is urgent and will get much worse.

Order of Business (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I know, but we are in a serious situation.

Order of Business (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: The Minister, Deputy Bruton, stated that it had not even been discussed by the Cabinet. This is the problem. When is an emergency an emergency? We need to move on this matter.

Order of Business (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: The Government is sitting on it. This is crazy.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: We have spoken about metro north so many times. We have one of the fastest-growing suburbs, Swords, and, on the face of it, that option seems to be one of the ones we would get most return out of at this stage. If the metro or one of the other options is being considered, is the bus rapid transit, BRT, system off the table altogether now? I know the Minister is probably obliged to discuss...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 5. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale for no longer progressing with the DART underground project; and his plans for improving Dublin transport links with commuter towns and the airport through a further Luas extension. [32200/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: What is the rationale for no longer progressing with the DART underground project? I know the Minister has made some comments on this matter, but this question predates that. What are the Minister's plans for improving Dublin transport links with commuter towns and the airport through a further Luas extension and what are the reasons for these?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I understand from what the Minister has said that the DART underground project is being shelved for the moment. I know there were six projects under consideration originally, one of which was metro north. Has the bus rapid transit, BRT, plan been shelved because metro north is being considered? There are figures and speculation in the newspapers on this issue. Both the Minister and I know...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 2. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the future of the Irish rail network after a period of cuts to subvention and moves to liberalise rail services across Europe supported by the European Union. [32199/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: I wish to ask the Minister about his plans for the future of the Irish Rail network after a period of cuts to the subvention and other cuts, and moves to liberalise rail services across Europe, supported by the European Union. I wish the Minister to please make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: Irish Rail has been the poor relation for many years, and there have been many cuts to the rail network, in particular to the subvention. I am pleased to hear the Minister say he is at least maintaining funding at 2014 levels, but that is still a cutback because of inflation and other issues. We are not supporting the network and we need to put more money into it. What plans does the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: The Minister said he is opposed to mandatory tendering but I hope we do not go down the road of tendering out. I accept the Minister said he has been given a directive from the EU but we must find some way of stopping the drive towards privatisation. The rail service is and should be for the people. A positive aspect of the rail network is that there has been an increase in the number...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Rail Network (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: That would show responsibility and a commitment to the State.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Regulation (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide regulations for the operation of non-traditional private for hire transport, such as Uber or rickshaws, in towns and cities here given recent local and international concerns about the security of passengers and the standards applied to such services. [31948/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Services (23 Sep 2015)

Dessie Ellis: 26. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the development of plans for the DART project; if he will confirm if this will remain under the auspices of Dublin Bus beyond 2018; and if not, if he will provide the rationale for this. [31952/15]