Results 201-220 of 405 for speaker:John Ellis

Seanad: Order of Business (6 Nov 2008)

John Ellis: I wish to raise the matter of the electoral register, which is of interest to all politicians, irrespective of the level at which they serve. Applications to be added to the voters' register must be made by 24 November. I ask that a concerted effort be made by third level institutions to ensure that their students are registered. In the past students have been reluctant to register, either...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

John Ellis: With other Senators, I would like to be associated with the vote of congratulations to Senator Obama. I hope that when he takes over the reins of power in January he will ensure that, rather than spending money on war, America will spend money on alleviating hardship throughout the world. The amount of money that has been spent by the US in the past eight years on war and war-related...

Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

John Ellis: Senator O'Toole raised the issue of fuel costs. There is a need for a debate in this House on the cost of all fuel, petrol, diesel, home heating oil, gas and so on, because a cartel is operating in this country. It may tell us that it gained 7% but it does not tell us the margins it takes before the product lands in this country for distribution. There is a need for a debate on that. We...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (8 Oct 2008)

John Ellis: The Minister of State is providing the Civil Service line. It is time civil servants realised that although they are the permanent government, they are not facing the electorate.

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (8 Oct 2008)

John Ellis: Next week, subject to agreement with the Whips.

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (8 Oct 2008)

John Ellis: This is an opportunity for us to examine the situation in the country's ports. I agree with Senator Cummins on one issue. The race to remove elected local authority members from public bodies arose previously with the Dublin Transport Authority Bill. On that occasion the Minister accepted an amendment that originated from the Government side of the House and was agreed by all sides. The...

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (8 Oct 2008)

John Ellis: Senator Coghlan was going to accept it anyway.

Seanad: Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2008: Order for Second Stage (8 Oct 2008)

John Ellis: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

John Ellis: The Bill gives us an opportunity to consider local authority housing, social housing and all the types of housing other than private housing. However, on private housing, we all know that some people are now finding themselves in serious difficulty with regard to mortgages. There might be a case to be made to allow some of these mortgages come within the ambit of local authority or social...

Seanad: Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008: Second Stage (1 Oct 2008)

John Ellis: The Senator might as well come over here.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2008)

John Ellis: I would like to be associated with the complimentary remarks to the Minister. The Minister has taken on board many of the queries and amendments we raised on Committee Stage and has brought back amendments from the Dáil that will improve the Bill. Now that the Bill has passed through both Houses, I ask that it be commenced at the earliest opportunity. Quango after quango has been...

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2008)

John Ellis: We are dating ourselves. We are going back to 1974.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2008)

John Ellis: I would like to be associated with the expressions of sympathy for the wife and family of the late Séamus Brennan. Séamus and I came through these doors together for the first time in 1977.

Seanad: Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad Bill amended by Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2008)

John Ellis: We will always know the year of Senator Phelan's birth. He was my friend and colleague for 31 years, which is a long time. I concur with the remarks that were made about him. There were many turbulent periods during our early days in this House but he was one of the few people who held a steady hand irrespective of how rough the waters were. That stood to him, as the Minister's comments...

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

John Ellis: Members will have received the Electoral (Amendment) Bill published last week. We had consensus in both Houses with regard to counties such as Leitrim which have been subdivided, including the Cathaoirleach's county, part of which has been included in Munster. As long as it is not for hurling purposes I suppose it will be acceptable. Part of Meath is with Louth, part of Offaly is with...

Seanad: Cancer Services: Motion (2 Jul 2008)

John Ellis: The Senator should not mention people's names in the House. He should be aware of the procedure.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Motion (2 Jul 2008)

John Ellis: No. The Senator cannot do that.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Motion (2 Jul 2008)

John Ellis: The position is that I must obey the laws of the Chair when I am Acting Chairman and I regret if that annoys the Senator because I know how emotional he is about this subject.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Motion (2 Jul 2008)

John Ellis: Senator, please.

Seanad: Cancer Services: Motion (2 Jul 2008)

John Ellis: You cannot do that.