Results 61-80 of 43,498 for speaker:Simon Harris

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Berry for raising this issue. I will raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and ask him to revert directly to the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I get a chance to speak too, if that is okay. I do not think he supports reference rents, incentives for landlords or any private investment fund.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: There are 83 recommendations. The Minister has published our view on each one of them.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Maybe the Deputy will do the same in relation to his. We can certainly have that debate but there was a lengthy debate on Housing for All in the House as recently as last week. Unfortunately, some Deputies decided to adopt a position on the report before they read it. To respond to Deputy McGrath, I have never known someone who is against something-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Deputy Boyd Barrett, the Taoiseach is responding to Deputy McGrath.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have just answered. We are not having another a debate this week. We had one last week. We have lots on the agenda this week. If the Deputies want to schedule it for the Business Committee, they should go for it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have never known anybody to be as enthusiastic about wanting something to come back into the House to vote on, which he is so vehemently opposed to. I have never known somebody so eager to have the Government table something for adoption which he wishes to reject.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: That will come back in due course at a time of our choosing.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have never heard the former Chief Justice Frank Clarke described as "window-dressing" before. He is carrying out a major report into UHL. The fact the Government has appointed a former Chief Justice, the top former judge in the country, to look into the situation outlines the seriousness we attach to a number of concerning incidents which have happened in the hospital. We have seen...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have been briefed on the incident which took place in the north inner city this morning. I understand An Garda Síochána has made an arrest. I thank An Garda Síochána for its swift and effective response to this incident, but I am also sure that people who were in that area, particularly children who witnessed this, would be very distressed. Thankfully, nobody came to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: It is the clear position of President von der Leyen that she wishes to see an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. That is the clear position of Ursula von der Leyen, although Deputy Pringle can shake his head if he wishes. It is the clear position of the conclusions of the April European Council; I was at it and the Deputy was not there.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: The ability of Irish people to not be misinformed or misdirected on the position of the European Council, including the President of the European Commission, is important because there is enough misinformation out there at the moment. We need to see an immediate ceasefire and we need to see practical actions to help bring that about. What I have said on behalf of Ireland at the European...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of Palestine and the horrific humanitarian catastrophe that continues to unfold. I acknowledge that her welcome for the fact that this is a proud day for Ireland in recognising the State of Palestine. I also recognise that this is very much something on which the people have led. I very much hear that as I go around the country as I meet people....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I am conscious that I am sitting beside a colleague and a friend, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, who knows all too well how that life-saving service made a massive difference to her own daughter, Tara’s life. This is a service that everyone in Ireland really values. It does absolutely incredible work. We live in a country that is small in geographic size but is in someway vast in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Berry for raising this important issue. I absolutely will take that meeting. We would benefit greatly from that expertise and listening to those individuals. I am happy to do that. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of road safety as we face into another bank holiday weekend. Everyone needs to be conscious of what are called the killer behaviours that can take...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: It is not rhetoric.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I am not calling the EU out. We are part of the EU. We joined it, are members of it and are around the table. What I am doing every single day with colleagues across Government, including the Tánaiste, is working at a European level to help bring about the actions that need to happen. Europe has not covered itself in glory in relation to this humanitarian catastrophe. I am very...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: It is entirely possible, although it might be a new one on Deputy McDonald, to be able to report progress in an area of societal challenge and still wish to do more in that area. I travel around the country, as I am sure does the Deputy, most of the time anyway. As she travels around the country, I am sure she sees plenty of examples of new homes being built. I am sure she knocks on the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: We still wish to do more. Fewer than 1% of residential property transactions saw the higher rate of stamp duty. I want to see more. I want to see it reviewed. The Government intends to review it in the context of the budget.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Cairns for raising this very important issue. Like her, I too welcome the fact that today Ireland will recognise the State of Palestine. It is a significant moment, an historic moment and an important moment to recognise that you cannot have a two-state solution without recognising two states. Also, I hope to create a positive momentum towards more countries now...