Results 5,501-5,520 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for asking the question. The Government's zero tolerance strategy, published last year, is an ambitious five-year programme of reform aimed at achieving a society which does not accept, in any way, shape or form, domestic, sexual and gender-based violence or, crucially, the attitudes which underpin it. Built on the four pillars of the Istanbul Convention, the strategy was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I fully acknowledge the need for urgency and am confident that the Government and both Houses see the need too, for all the reasons the Deputy has outlined. As a Government or as an Oireachtas, we do not establish new agencies very often. I hope the fact that we have taken a decision to establish a new agency assures the women of Ireland and the people of Ireland more broadly that we are...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Drug Dealing (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: We will of course engage with the Deputy to consider the legislation and seek views and opinions on it as well. For clarity, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 is the responsibility of the Minister of Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and we may need that engagement aspect as well. I get what the Deputy is trying to do here, though, and I fully respect his motivation, which is a concern around the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is entirely right. We have a commitment to double the number of refuge spaces under the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. For the avoidance of doubt, this is to double the number of refuge spaces, bringing it to 280. As the Deputy will be aware, Tusla reviewed the accommodation services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I assure the Deputy, on my part and those of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, that this is a major area of priority in the Department of Justice and across the Government. The Deputy referred to the familicide review and we do have that report in the Department. I have considered it in quite a lot of detail. I met the commissioner of that report...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: It is accepted by me, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the whole of the Government that these 280 places are not the end destination. It is, though, where we realistically believe that pulling out all the stops and going at this with gusto and prioritisation is truthfully where we can get to in the lifetime of this strategy. I have even a greater degree of confidence about this after...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Reviews (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I very much appreciate and welcome what Deputy Ó Ríordáin is trying to do here. There is always an additional onus of responsibility on a disciplined or hierarchical organisation in terms of being even more acutely aware around things like culture, inclusion, support, and empowering people to speak up and to speak out. On the topic of cultural audits, I am happy to get a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Reviews (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I will certainly reflect on the comments Deputy Ó Ríordáin has made this evening and will feed them back into the Department and have conversations with colleagues there. I think we would all agree that no organisation or no part of society, as we know through our work on many issues, is immune to wrongdoing or discriminatory actions and the like. What is really important...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Drug Dealing (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ward for this important question. As the Deputy will be aware, and as I am from my past political life, the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy which is called Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. This...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Drug Dealing (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy. His colleague, Deputy Crowe, was good enough to talk to me about it the other day and I am aware he has brought forward a Private Members' Bill on this and I have given him an undertaking that I will consider it and engage with him when it is scheduled to be debated. I also note that the Child Care Act 1991 falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: It is my intention to use one of the legislative vehicles already going through the House, probably the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, to bring forward the amendment to increase the maximum sentence from seven years to 12. It is my intention to bring that amendment to the Government shortly and with the co-operation of this House and the other House to seek the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I agree with the point on minimum sentencing. There is quite a bit of evidence that when maximum sentencing is increased, it generally puts an upward pressure on the length of sentences given out by the courts. Therefore, I think maximum sentencing is the most effective way to go at this time. I, too, send solidarity to any garda or emergency front-line worker who has experienced any level...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Reviews (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for quite rightly raising this important matter. It is important that in all parts of society we all redouble efforts to stamp out any culture that is anything other than inclusive, welcoming and supportive and does not have any tolerance at all for misogyny, violence or inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. I think we would both agree that the vast majority of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I congratulate Deputy Daly on his appointment as his party's spokesperson on justice. While we may not always agree and while we may have disagreements from time to time, I wish him all the best as he takes up that role. I am extremely grateful to all front-line workers for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role they play in our society....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Ríordáin for the question. Under the national development plan, the Government is committed to investing significant levels of capital funding into An Garda Síochána to deliver a Garda station modernisation and refurbishment programme, to delivering strategic ICT and digitalisation projects, and to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose Garda fleet. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I can and often, when I outline the law as to the responsibilities of the Commissioner versus me, it is not to recuse myself of interest in a project. Deputy Ó Ríordáin, who raises this on a regular basis, knows this is a major commitment in the national development plan. The Northern Cross project is a commitment under the national development plan. The Office of Public...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I respectfully suggest that we should allow the discussions between the Garda, the OPW and Dublin City Council to conclude. This will then enable them to prepare for planning with a view to bringing forward planning in 2024 potentially. This is the window or timeframe that we potentially have. Of course it will be important that local communities are updated and kept engaged and informed...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for his question and for his ongoing work. I only wish I had counterparts in Northern Ireland. I do not say that to be facetious but the Deputy will see during my answer how the absence of an Executive stymies some levels of engagement. However, I am pleased to say there is excellent ongoing cross-Border co-operation with counterparts in Northern Ireland on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I will seek confirmation on the two issues the Deputy has raised concerning the recent engagement my colleagues had with their counterparts. I believe in all jurisdictions, including for Irish citizens in Northern Ireland, people having swift access to justice is an important part of any effective justice system. I am personally engaging with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The fifth report of the IRC was brought to Government in December. Overall, the IRC has not altered its view that the risks posed to society by the continuing existence of paramilitary groups and structures means paramilitarism remains a clear and present danger in Northern Ireland. Six new recommendations are contained in the fifth report, including a further recommendation on the...