Results 2,701-2,720 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I do not think I will please Senator Byrne.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I have been led to believe that amendments Nos. 27 to 30, inclusive, are also included in the group.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: We are now moving to a set of amendments to Part 5A of the Bill, which was originally intended to introduce an element of self-assessment for ratepayers. This is an issue we have already touched upon in the debate, particularly the contribution from Senator Tom Sheahan. Before detailing specific amendments, I wish to give some background to the changes proposed for the new Part 5A. The use...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The Bills Office will amend the title in the consolidated Bill after Committee Stage.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I am informed that one does not change the name of a sub-part of a Bill on Committee Stage.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I said we will refer in future to occupier assisted valuation as this term more accurately describes what will happen in practice. The Senator has correctly quoted the Minister, Deputy Howlin, on Second Stage but we are trying to introduce a balanced system whereby the occupier can provide more information to the Valuation Office or provide an alternative valuation. This system will allow...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I do not agree with the assertion that this is markedly different. There was always an intention that the rate payer could provide his or her own valuation to the Valuation Office and this remains the case. I am trying to be clear that there is a situation where the Valuation Office will have to assess a valuation - it need not accept a valuation that is provided. This system is more...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (2 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. The Local Authority may carry out flood mitigation and coastal protection works using its own resources. It may also apply to the Office of Public Works for funding for flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. If Kerry County...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (2 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together. Moneycashen, which consists of parts of the townlands of Kilmore, Cloghane & Knoppoge in the Cashen area, was identified through the national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) as a location where coastal flood risk was potentially significant. A detailed assessment is being carried out under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Records (2 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy, as it relates to the Office of Public Works, is not readily available in the format requested. The Commissioners of Public Works are currently assembling the information. The Commissioners would point out that they would not be able to comment as to whether documents stored on behalf of client Departments and or Offices would be intended for the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Drainage Schemes Status (2 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works has statutory responsibility for the maintenance of the Glore River, which forms part of the Moy Arterial Drainage Scheme. Works are progressing at present on this river as part of the OPW arterial drainage maintenance programme for 2014. Due to low water some works may be delayed. Liaison is continuing with the environmental stakeholders and, with continued...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Garda Station Closures (2 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Garda Station Closures (2 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Heffernan for his kind words on my appointment. I very much appreciate them. I also appreciate the opportunity afforded by the Adjournment debate raised by him for me to update Seanad Éireann on closed Garda stations and what has happened to date, and to respond to the question of the cost of maintaining such premises. In relation to the State's property assets, the...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Garda Station Closures (2 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I will take the Senator's three questions. He asked whether the 16 stations that have been given for community use all went through the same process where consideration was given first to their disposal on the open market. I will check this out as most of this happened before my appointment, but my understanding is that they did. The commissioners make an evaluation as to whether there is...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Garda Station Closures (2 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The Senator has asked a fair question whether, even if the OPW Commissioners were to dispose of the Garda station in Kilfinane and the disposal were not to take place for a significant period, if the OPW consider an interim use. I will raise that issue with my officials and will come back directly to the Senator.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (7 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The flood alleviation project for the St. Flannan's College and Ballybeg areas in Ennis (known as the Ennis South Flood relief Scheme) is being progressed by Clare County Council with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW). The OPW and the Council are currently in discussion regarding aspects of the cost benefit analysis report prepared by the Council's consultants for the identified...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Station Refurbishment (7 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together. The Commissioners of Public Works undertake refurbishments and routine maintenance to Garda Stations on foot of requests and priorities assigned by An Garda Síochána. A request has been received, to convert an existing Garage at Newcastlewest Garda Station into a new locker room, which would then allow the existing locker...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Station Closures (7 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The Minister for Justice, as part of An Garda Síochána's rationalisation programme, announced the closure of 139 Garda stations between 2012 and 2013. The Office Of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility to manage properties which have been deemed surplus to the requirements of An Garda Síochána. The OPW policy for disposing of these surplus State properties is as...

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Prevention Measures (8 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Coonan for raising the Templemore flood relief scheme today and on a number of occasions during the two and a half months I have been in office. I accept it is a very important issue to him and his constituents. I had an opportunity to meet the Deputy and a number of residents in Templemore prior to my appointment to my current post and I know the importance of the issue for...

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Prevention Measures (8 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The Deputy knows I do not make commitments I cannot fulfil so I make today's commitment in this House on the basis of information I received from my officials and on the basis that funding has been provided for the scheme in the OPW capital budget up to 2016. The Deputy is correct that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, must give consent to this scheme, as...