Results 22,241-22,260 of 46,197 for speaker:Simon Harris

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: That is not true.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I will be very brief because I think I have addressed much of this already. To respond to Deputies O'Keeffe and Scanlon and the other Deputies who asked for clarity on directional signs, let me yet again state that directional signs are not classified as advertisements. They are allowed. The point Deputy Jonathan O'Brien made is also valid. We have many ways of finding our way around to...

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: Brand names are allowed on directional signage. On the Deputy's use of the term "tomorrow morning", we have already had 1,000 days of discussion on the legislation and there will be a one-year lead-in period in respect of the restrictions on advertising and a three-year lead-in period in respect of other elements of the Bill. There is a lead-in period for everybody to get prepared.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I want to say to Deputy Collins that advertising works. Nobody is suggesting people will become zombies but, as Deputy Shortall has eloquently outlined, the drinks companies take out advertising because they believe it will make us drink more alcohol and more of their brand of alcohol. They would not be spending many millions of euro of their commercial operation on advertisements if they...

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: Hear, hear.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: Deputy Collins should not go that far.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: Very briefly.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: The only side I am on is the side of public health and passing this Bill which has been held up for more than 1,000 days. Different sections of the Bill were targeted with great intensity at various times. Tonight, all going well, we will pass the Bill through this House and we will end the three-year impasse and get on with commencing elements of the Bill. My position is that we are...

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: Deputy Donnelly raises two important issues. First, from a practical point of view, in terms of engaging with retailers to be prepared for the structural separation we have in place, I am pleased to give the commitment in the House that it absolutely will take place. Obviously, there is a lead-in time of two years, which will allow for practical discussions on how people can comply with the...

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I thank all the Deputies who contributed to this Bill as it passed through the House. This Bill has had very lengthy consideration in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. I pay particular thanks to my officials who have worked so hard on this Bill over a sustained period of time. I thank Dr. Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer, Clare Gordon, Denise Keogh and Siobhan McNamara...

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I commend the former Minister of State, Deputy Róisín Shortall, for the leadership she showed in the Department of Health on this issue. I am very pleased that we are joined by Senator Frances Black, who has shown great leadership on this issue in Seanad Éireann. I commend all of the health spokespersons - Deputies Louise O'Reilly, Alan Kelly, Stephen Donnelly and Michael...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual. The National...

Written Answers — Department of Health: HSE Properties (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the health care property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Response Times (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Blood Donations (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: The IBTS lifted its lifelong ban on men who have sex with men (MSM) from donating blood in January 2017, when the deferral policy was reduced to a period of one year following their last sexual encounter with a man. The IBTS will continue to keep all deferral policies under active review in the light of scientific evidence, emerging infections and international experience.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Commencement of Legislation (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: The Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Bill 2018 was enacted on 24 July 2018. This Act was introduced to correct typographical and technical errors in the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, which will facilitate the subsequent commencement of Parts 2 & 3 of the Act. It is intended that Parts 2 & 3 of the Act will be commenced as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Budget 2019 (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Reports (3 Oct 2018)

Simon Harris: I am advised that the report of the Working Group on a Model of Care for Lymphoedema and Lipoedema Treatment in Ireland is under consideration by the HSE. The recommendations arising from the report will be considered by my Department once they become available, with a view to progressing implementation by the HSE through the annual service planning process.