Results 42,181-42,200 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: I shall begin by thanking all of the Senators for their contributions on the Finance Bill. Any time I have come to the House we have had an interesting and informative debate, and today has been no different. On behalf of the Minister for Finance and myself, I thank everybody for their comments and viewpoints. There were some suggestions and advance warnings about matters that Senators...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: A significant change has been made and it is as much as we could afford on this occasion. The Minister has, however, indicated that he sees a change to the group A tax-free threshold in this year's budget as the start of a process. Provided, among other factors, that our economic recovery continues, and if the Minister remains the Minister for Finance, he intends to examine the scope for...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2015: Second Stage (3 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: The UK started in the exact same way as we are doing. Unfortunately, we must remain within the fiscal rules. If we put more into one area, we have to take it away from another. It is about getting that balance right. The relief will be kept under review and subject, among other factors, to the economic recovery continuing, we see significant scope for further enhancing it into the future....

Topical Issue Debate: NAMA Portfolio (2 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Durkan. As I said, NAMA is legally constrained from commenting on assets under the control of its debtors. Because this is confidential information, neither myself nor the Minister for Finance would have knowledge of a specific property's relationship with NAMA. Section 99 of the NAMA Act 2009 sets out how the transfer of loans and the various rights and obligations relating...

Topical Issue Debate: NAMA Portfolio (2 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this issue of importance to all Deputies in terms of wanting to see development of their town centres and the return of economic activity. As the Deputy is aware, NAMA is legally constrained from commenting on assets that are under the control of its debtors, which is confidential information as defined by the NAMA Act as passed by this House. On the...

Leaders' Questions (2 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: Does the health service get any funding in America?

Leaders' Questions (2 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: Deputy Adams might make the Deputy Minister for Health yet.

Leaders' Questions (2 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: Deputy Adams will make the Deputy Minister for Health.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Coastal Erosion (2 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Ó Clochartaigh for raising this matter and giving me the opportunity to update the Seanad on the subject of coastal erosion. I echo his comments on the courageous work carried out by local authority workers right around the country, including in Galway, during the very difficult storms and floods we experienced a number of years ago. Coastal erosion is a natural and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Coastal Erosion (2 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: It stands to reason that my office can only fund projects it has been asked to fund. If we have not received an application we cannot assess the application. Without knowing the specific details of Tawin Island, Galway County Council will be well aware of the criteria for the minor works scheme and if it sees merit in submitting an application I assure the Senator it will be assessed as a...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Flood Relief Measures (2 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter, on which she has been working for quite a few years at this stage. I hear, and share, her frustration that this is going on so long. Only a few weeks after taking up this role, I had the opportunity to meet with a number of residents in the area and I know the grave difficulties they have experienced and their continual fear of future...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Flood Relief Measures (2 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: As soon as An Bord Pleanála makes a decision - a matter with which I do not wish to interfere - if we are ready to proceed with the scheme, then I would be delighted to meet the Senator and update her on the timeline for getting these works in place. We are very committed to this. We want to see it happening. It has been a long time in the offing. We have set aside the funding and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (2 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: Twenty six Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) are being assessed in County Donegal under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. These were deemed to be areas of potentially significant flood risk under the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) which was completed in 2011. The Donegal AFAs are being assessed under the North...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (1 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: Kilcummin Pier, Kilcummin, Ballina, Co. Mayo is not an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) within the Western Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study, as it was not deemed to be an area of potentially significant flood risk under the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) which was completed in 2011. For more information on the PFRA please see www.cfram.ie It is not...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (1 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: The management of problems of coastal protection in the locations mentioned is a matter for Kerry County Council (KCC) in the first instance. KCC must thoroughly assess the problem and, if it is considered that specific measures and works are required, it is open to them to apply for funding to deal with coastal protection under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (1 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: The Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by Clare County Council (CCC) as the contracting authority under its powers, with funding and advice as appropriate from the Office of Public Works (OPW). CCC and the OPW are continuing discussions regarding technical aspects of the proposed works. When all outstanding technical matters are resolved CCC will proceed with issuing...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (1 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: A competition for up to four new permits for Skellig Michael will be held early in the new year. The delay in making final arrangements has been due to legal matters. The Office of Public Works (OPW) Heritage Service is proposing to meet with Oireachtas Members from the area soon to explain the issues involved and to outline the process that will be followed in allocating new Permits.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (1 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: The management of problems of coastal protection in the particular area indicated is a matter for Fingal County Council in the first instance. The Council must assess the problem and, if it is considered that specific measures and works are required, it is open to them to apply for funding under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (1 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) very recently received from Clare County Council (CCC) a copy of the feasibility study report prepared by the engineering consultants engaged by CCC to examine the flooding issues at the location mentioned. The OPW will be responding to CCC in due course when it has completed a full review of the feasibility study report.

Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015: Referral to Select Committee (26 Nov 2015)

Simon Harris: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality pursuant to 82A3(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business and paragraph (8) of the Orders of Reference of Select Committees.