Results 1,221-1,240 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: -----to expand rent pressure zones. We are taking measures to make them permanent. We are also making sure we can deliver more supply, because do you know what renters need? Places to rent.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Whitmore for raising this issue. She is right.. It is a real challenge in lots of communities, including the ones we are proud to represent in Dáil Éireann. I am grateful for the capacity review report she referenced in terms of the ESRI and the detailed work it has done, which will assist in workforce planning and which shows the growth in GP capacity that will be...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I assure the Deputy that my head is firmly up in the air. There is a lot of work going on in this area. However, as the she and I know from talking to GPs, not just in our county but also across the country, it is not just about the number of GPs. It is also about the supports they want to allow them to hire more nurses, the triaging of patients and out-of-hours services. The Deputy...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Cullinane for raising this important issue. I want to be very clear for people watching at home the decisions the Government has taken and the legislation the Government is taking through the Houses this week is legislation that will extend the rent pressure zones. As everybody renting across Ireland knows, the rent pressure zones were due to end at Christmas. Had we not...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Deputy Cullinane does not need to lecture me about students. When I was Minister for further and higher education we reduced student fees every year and we extended the renter's tax credit to students while Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland continues to expect students to pay way more to access college. Do not worry, and more importantly students should not worry, because in the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: In the Sinn Féin housing plan------

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Just give David his chance this week Matt. You might get a go next week. In the Sinn Féin housing plan the party is in favour of reference rents, which the ESRI said would be unworkable and complex and the Housing Agency said would be unworkable, complex and lead to more disputes. Sinn Féin knows what a reference rent would have meant.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: It would have meant increasing the rent for existing tenants. I do not expect consistency from Sinn Féin on policy development, but a little bit of recognition it contested a general election on the basis of abolishing rent pressure zones and replacing them with reference rents, something the Housing Agency the ESRI and I reckon a hell of a lot of renters do not think are a good idea either.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Do not talk to me about the privileged classes when the largest property owner and investor in this House is the Sinn Féin Party. Let us remember Deputy Cullinane's party is the biggest property owner in the Dáil. His party's director of finance Des Mackin boasted to The Irish Times-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: -----a few years ago that Sinn Féin had "40 or 50 [properties], easily"-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: -----across the island. He said the party had "...tried to tidy it up some years ago, but it was too difficult".

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: They do not like the truth. He went on to say, "In Belfast alone we’d have seven ... Nationally, I’d say it exceeds 40 or 50 ..." The biggest property owners and investors in Dáil Éireann are those in Sinn Féin. Do not give me "We are on the side of the working people". It is a load of bull that people see right through. You are the wealthiest party in this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides a range of help and supports to citizens in distress abroad. The Consular Assistance Charger outlines what to expect and sets out steps that we strongly encourage Irish people travelling abroad to take. Assistance is provided to citizens abroad in a range of situations including: Illness or injuries Death Victim of crime Arrest or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: This conflict remains a central focus of Ireland’s foreign policy and my engagement with my EU and international counterparts. I have repeatedly called on Israel to fully lift its blockade and allow for unimpeded access of humanitarian aid at scale into Gaza. We have also been clear in our call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the release of remaining hostages. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 188, 189, 204 and 205 together. My Department is responsible for managing our diplomatic relations with over 190 States and international organisations. Communications with our counterparts are managed both through the Department at headquarters and across our diplomatic mission network. Communications conveyed or received by my Department and other...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: On May 28, violence broke out between the armies of Thailand and Cambodia in a disputed border region claimed by both states. After a brief exchange of gunfire, a Cambodian service member was killed. Following bilateral discussions, both sides agreed to return to their previously held positions and to create a buffer zone, citing their wish to deescalate tensions and to pursue a peaceful...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Global Ireland 2025 was launched by Government in 2018 with the aim of doubling Ireland’s footprint and impact by 2025. Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly with the opening of twenty-two new missions under the Strategy. A further five diplomatic missions were approved in 2024 with new embassies planned for Belgrade, Sarajevo and Chisinau, and consulates...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Russia’s brutal war of aggression has inflicted indescribable suffering on the people of Ukraine. Millions have been forced to flee their homeland, and millions more are internally displaced. Hundreds of thousands have been killed, with thousands more, including children, forcibly removed, tortured or arbitrarily imprisoned by Russian forces. Ireland’s support for the people...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: As I have said previously, I condemn any endangerment of the safety of our peacekeepers in the execution of their mandated duties. The incident in Yaroun in May this year was unconscionable. Upon my instruction, on 30 May, immediately after the incident in Yaroun, our Permanent Representation to the United Nations in New York expressed our grave concerns directly to the Permanent Mission...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 to 200, inclusive, together. The Treaty on European Union (TEU) delineates the institutional framework for EU foreign policy. Articles 18 and 24 establish that the High Representative shall conduct the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and represent the Union for matters relating to CFSP. The High Representative, who is also...