Results 81-100 of 405 for speaker:John Ellis

Seanad: Smarter Travel Initiative: Motion (28 Apr 2010)

John Ellis: We have had a reasonable debate on smart transport. I noticed, however, that it was almost totally focused on Dublin without reference to some of the major road developments that are taking place around the country. On behalf of the Government side, I recommend this motion to the House and I ask Members to accept it.

Seanad: Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

John Ellis: I listened to most of the Members this morning and everyone seems to be going around with two planks on their shoulders, which is not a great way of approaching matters. I notice that nobody came in here to praise the Government for the proposals that came out yesterday via the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the IDA on the potential for job creation here. Everybody seems...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)

John Ellis: From the Senator's own side.

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)

John Ellis: We all heard the debate over recent weeks on the creation of jobs. Will the Leader arrange a debate on recent statements by the new US envoy, Mr. Kelly, with regard to promoting Northern Ireland only, rather than promoting the island as a whole. The Border areas should be as well treated as Northern Ireland in this case. I appeal for a debate on the progress of this. This morning, we all...

Seanad: Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 Feb 2010)

John Ellis: I welcome the Minister of State in the absence of the Minister. When we debate animal welfare, and this is an animal welfare Bill, we hear about extremes and serious cases of neglect. None of us wants to see animals mistreated, whether by means of neglect or poor husbandry, irrespective of the type of animal. We are all well aware that dogs and dog breeding have been an important business...

Seanad: Water and Roads Infrastructure: Motion (3 Feb 2010)

John Ellis: This motion gives an opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the local authorities for how they reacted in a very severe situation. This was never a crisis for some people until Dublin got a scattering of snow one evening and roads became slippery. Down in the country we had to live with it for two to three weeks before Dublin was hit. At that stage people did not realise how much...

Seanad: Water and Roads Infrastructure: Motion (3 Feb 2010)

John Ellis: -----and do not want any more taxes or charges imposed upon them. Senator Buttimer's area got flooded and he should remember that we came to his rescue then.

Seanad: Water and Roads Infrastructure: Motion (3 Feb 2010)

John Ellis: Fine Gael proposes to take this responsibility into a national organisation. The local authorities have done a tremendous job of looking after water provision throughout the country. In doing so are we going to create another quango? I believe we have enough of them at the moment, as I am sure everyone in the country would agree. Let the local authorities continue to be responsible for...

Seanad: Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (27 Jan 2010)

John Ellis: I offer my personal sympathies to Billy Kenneally's wife, Maureen, his sons and brothers and his extended family. When I was elected in 1977, I had the honour of sharing a fourth floor office with Billy. I learned a lot from him from the day I arrived as the youngest elected Senator. His wise counsel prevented me from committing mortal political sins on many occasions. There could be an...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

John Ellis: I express my satisfaction with something that happened last week. I made a suggestion in the House that the air traffic controllers should use the available labour relations mechanisms to solve their problems. I am delighted they took our advice the next day and went that route rather than the one they had proposed to take. This shows that no matter what one does in labour affairs, it is...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

John Ellis: I do not know if the Senator was flooded and washed out but I do know that I sent him to do one job before and he did not make a very good report.

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

John Ellis: Will the Minister for Transport-----

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

John Ellis: -----ask the NRA to make some of its funds available for the repair of roads mentioned? Damage to these roads affects people's lives more than damage to any other. We all benefit from using motorways but if people are unable to go about their ordinary daily business on the roads mentioned, it makes life very tough and impossible. The cost of repairing the damage that will be done to...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)

John Ellis: Senator O'Toole will have to go by boat.

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

John Ellis: I welcome Senator Mooney back to the House and congratulate him on his election. We have had the honour of representing County Leitrim for more than 20 years. While the region is not represented in the Dáil, it has two representatives in the Seanad to fight its cause. I also take the opportunity to congratulate Senator Mooney's family. They were involved in politics a long time before I...

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

John Ellis: It is true that Seanad by-election counts do not have much space for what might be described-----

Seanad: Order of Business (20 Jan 2010)

John Ellis: -----as people who are in the mood to watch a political blood bath and the casting of political sweat, as we have all witnessed. Today air traffic controllers went on strike for four hours. While we all accept people have a right to strike, in so doing the air traffic controllers disrupted air travel and caused the cancellation of up to 160 flights. I do not believe all of the available...

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Dec 2009)

John Ellis: Like other Members, I wish the very best to the Cathaoirleach, the staff of the House, the Clerk, the Clerk's assistants, the ushers, the Captain and the Superintendent. Having got the niceties out of the way, one thing was made very clear yesterday. As Senator Quinn mentioned, it appears our economy may at last have bottomed out and started to improve. If that is the case, we will have to...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Bill 2009: Motion for Earlier Signature (16 Dec 2009)

John Ellis: On a point of order, the carry on of Deputy Buttimer in the House on a regular basis cannot be tolerated by anybody.

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Dec 2009)

John Ellis: I congratulate Senator Ó Brolcháin on his election to the House and I wish him well. I have no doubt he will make a tremendous contribution. It is also a big day for his party because it now has three Senators. As Senator Boyle pointed out, the party did not have representation in the Seanad until 2007; therefore, this result is to be welcomed, as it provides a wider political spectrum...