Results 3,781-3,800 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Topical Issue Debate: Credit Unions (30 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: I will bring the Deputy's views to the attention of the Minister for Finance. I am sure the Deputy did not intend this but I reject any criticism of Department of Finance officials or the Minister in respect of this matter. Every action taken was on the basis of protecting members' savings. I am sure the Deputy accepts the bona fides of the Department and the Government in that regard.

Topical Issue Debate: Credit Unions (30 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: The other option was liquidation, which would have been more expensive and, more important, would have put savings at risk. The Minister for Finance, on the recommendation of the Central Bank, has put in place funds and measures to address the problems in Newbridge. The Deputy and other colleagues from that area have outlined to me the difficulties this has caused. I am pleased that the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (30 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: As indicated in my replies to previous Questions on this subject, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has submitted the proposals for the Clare River (Claregalway) scheme for statutory approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts. In order to comply with the requirements of SI 469 and SI 470 of 2012, the Department of Public...

Sale of Siteserv: Motion [Private Members] (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: Deputy Martin knew, given that he put it in place.

Sale of Siteserv: Motion [Private Members] (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: What is Deputy Martin trying to say?

Sale of Siteserv: Motion [Private Members] (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: What is Deputy Martin trying to imply?

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that in May 2010 the then Minister of State at the Department of Finance with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Mr. Martin Mansergh TD, announced that the OPW would take the Bolton Library in Cashel in its charge and would work with the Church of Ireland, who are the owners, and the University of Limerick, to secure the future of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: The terms and conditions of employment for non-established (State Industrial) employees precludes their transfer to other Government Departments except through open recruitment competitions. The Public Service Management Act was amended in December 2013 to extend the options for redeployment of staff within the public sector. However, this did not include non-established civil servants.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Accommodation (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: A space audit of the State owned Government Offices on the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise is currently being undertaken. When complete, it will be evaluated to establish the potential to increase the occupancy of the building through the re-configuration of the space with a more modern open plan layout and furniture. The provision of an extension to this State owned property will also be...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Public Procurement Contracts (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Marie Moloney for raising this matter. It is timely to do so as we have put in place a new structure, the Office of Government Procurement, for which I have responsibility at ministerial level. While 2014 was the year of the establishment of the office, 2015 and 2016 will be about ensuring that we have the structures right and that we put as many measures as possible in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Public Procurement Contracts (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: I again thank Senator Moloney for raising this important matter. When discussing the issue with local suppliers, she and other public representatives should bring to their attention a number of new measures we have put in place to try to help SMEs. For example, we are currently considering social clauses whereby unemployment and disadvantaged areas can be factored into decisions. We will...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Public Procurement Contracts (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: We had two last year - one in Belfast and one in Dublin. It is done on a cross-Border basis. Approximately 1,000 businesses were represented at the one in Dublin. I want to see them take place on a more regional basis though. I am examining how to roll them out to the regions, while working with LEOs. I will report back to the Senator in due course.

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the spring economic statement which was agreed by the Government and unveiled last week by the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. The spring economic statement sets out the progress made on economic and budgetary matters since the Government took office just over four years ago. I believe and think the people believe these...

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator and will not take it the wrong way.

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: Do not put it under too much pressure.

Seanad: Spring Economic Statement: Statements (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senators on all sides for an interesting debate. If I have picked up one thing from it, it is that no one on any side of the Houses and no citizen is suggesting that the job of work is done. In fact, there is a great deal more to do. I often describe my four years to date in the Oireachtas by saying that in my first three and a half years, the pause button was pressed on so many of...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 1:In page 8, line 22, to delete “S.R.O.R. 3rd ed.” and substitute “Rev. 1948”. Amendments Nos. 1 and 4 are technical amendments to standardise the reference to the statutory rules and orders collection.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 2: In page 13, to delete lines 14 to 17 and substitute the following: “ 10. April 15, 1775 [L.G., Issue No. 11552] Licence to Richard Gorges to use the name and arms of Meredyth Meredyth Name and Arms Order 1775 Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht 11. December 23, 1780 [L.G., Issue...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 3: In page 15, to delete lines 11 to 18 and substitute the following: “ 29. February 19, 1816 [D.G., Issue No. 9516] Licence permitting the Right Honorable William Earl of Wicklow to resume his former paternal name and arms of Howard after his name of Forward Howard Name and Arms Order 1816 Minister for Arts,...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (6 May 2015)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 4: In page 368, to delete lines 19 and 20 and substitute the following: “ 5773. June 19, 1819 [Rev. 1948 VII p. 885] Order regarding the United States of America Fisheries Convention ”.