Proposed taxi regulations are disproportionate and at odds with Constitution – Ellis

February 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

February 19, 2013

Sinn Fein transport spokesperson, Dessie Ellis TD, has described the new proposed taxi regulations as “disproportionate and repugnant to our Constitution”.
He made his comments when raising the concerns of many drivers, former republican prisoners, who work as taxi drivers.
Deputy Ellis continued:
“These regulations could see many former political prisoners barred, disqualified or suspended from the industry and without a livelihood despite having worked as drivers for years without any problem.
“This state, with the backing of the people in a referendum signed up to the Good Friday Agreement which recognised the special circumstance of the conflict.
“It also recognised that those imprisoned for offences directly related to the conflict were not ordinary prisoners and should be afforded special attention to aid reintegration into society and the securing of gainful employment.
“I also believe this measure is at odds with the constitution and its recognition of an individual’s right to a livelihood or property rights.
“A similar regulation was been attempted in the north of Ireland but was defeated with a former republican prisoner took a case to the High Court. If Minister Alan Kelly will not accept our points on this issue then I expect this to be the outcome again and this section of the Bill will be rendered null and void.
“I am very disappointed by the minister’s response. He completely ignored the Good Friday Agreement which his government is bound by. It is a disgraceful approach to such an important agreement and I hope he will reconsider as we continue to debate.
“Anyone convicted of an offence directly related to the conflict should, under the agreement this state signed up to be supported in getting employment, not thrown out of work as this Bill does. I recognise this government did not sign the agreement but it is time they started living up to it.”
ends

Filed Under: Transport

Sinn Féin Dáil motion on social housing shortage launched

February 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

February 15, 2013

Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, Dessie Ellis TD, has called on the Minister for Housing to take immediate action to deal with the continuing crisis in social housing with nearly 100,000 people on the state’s housing waiting lists and deteriorating public housing leading to health concerns.

His made his comments as he and finance spokesperson, Pearse Doherty TD, launched the Sinn Féin motion, to be tabled next week in the Dáil, dealing with the shortage in social housing and mortgage distress.

Deputy Ellis continued:

“This motion is an important step in raising the many problems that continue in social housing in this state and takes the government to task on their inaction in dealing with the crisis.

“There are 98,000 households on waiting lists for Local Authority Housing in this state. These people are living in cramped unsuitable conditions and in the current system will be waiting a very long time to be housed appropriately.

“There are 94,000 people receiving Rent Supplement and 23,000 in the Rental Accommodation Scheme. These cost the state nearly half a billion euro a year but bring us no closer to a long-term sustainable provision of housing.

“The government’s only proposal has been to pass responsibility for social housing onto the private market and give greater workload to the overburdened voluntary sector. They have hailed social leasing from NAMA as a great solution but it will cost the state considerably and has only delivered 179 homes in three years.

“We need the state to make a real commitment to providing social housing and recognising the people’s right to housing. We have outlined already how funding could be secured for the building of thousands of homes which would create employment and give a decent home to tens of thousands of people. The minister must listen to our proposals and treat the issue with the seriousness it deserves.

“Funding is laid out in our Jobs Creation document released late last year.”

Filed Under: Ballymun, Drumcondra, Economy, Finglas, Housing