Results 3,921-3,940 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Accommodation Provision (18 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Minister has asked me to reassure the House that there has been no reduction in the number of patient beds in Beaumont Hospital, a point the Senator made himself. While 140 beds spread across four surgical wards had historically been intended for surgical patients, in reality a significant number of these beds have been consistently occupied by medical patients, many of whom are frail...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Jury Service (18 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, I thank Senator Colm Burke for raising this matter. The Minister regrets she is unable to be present for this discussion. Jurors are an essential part of the administration of justice in our country. As provided for in the Constitution, a key principle of a fair judicial system is the right to trial by jury.The...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Jury Service (18 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I will have to ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to revert to Senator Burke but I am happy to do so. The Bill is listed in the Government's current legislative programme and will be brought forward in due course. I want to reassure Senator Burke and the Seanad that the issues he has raised are being fully considered in the context of the development of the Bill.

European Council Meeting: Statements (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The previous Government threw away our sovereignty.

European Council Meeting: Statements (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to have an opportunity to wrap up today's important debate regarding the forthcoming European Council meeting. My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Dara Murphy, would usually give this statement, but he is in Luxembourg today at the General Affairs Council, where the key focus is on preparations for the European Council. I am...

European Council Meeting: Statements (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: -----the agenda for the European Council this week is particularly full. As preparations are ongoing, it is not clear yet how exactly the Heads of State and Government will divide their time among the many pressing issues. However, I am confident that the conclusions adopted will give the necessary impetus for further essential work to be advanced on both the external and the internal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: St. Enda’s and the Pearse Museum are of significance to the history of the modern Irish Republic. In recognition of Patrick Pearse’s involvement in events leading up to the Rising, a number of capital works are being undertaken at the site to be completed for the centenary commemorations of the 1916 rising. Over the past 5 years a programme of tree maintenance and replanting...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Durrow Abbey site is an important National Monument which is owned by the State and is in the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW). A significant conservation project was undertaken there in recent years, including relocating the vulnerable High Cross on the site into the Church and undertaking visitor presentation works. The site is therefore in good order currently from a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: My Department currently has no grant scheme for minor flood defence products. Consideration, as appropriate, of such a scheme is part of the Whole of Government's approach to implementing Flood Management Plans that are being developed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the CFRAM (Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management) Programme. These Flood Risk Management Plans are due...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Douglas Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by Cork County Council as the Contracting Authority for the project as part of an overall scheme for Douglas and Togher, with funding being provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW). It is expected that the Scheme will be brought though Planning in the third quarter of this year. Subject to the proposed scheme being accepted, the detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: As previously advised, the Commissioners of Public Works are in the process of assigning the former Garda Station at Castletownshend, Co. Cork for use by Castletownshend Community Association for community and voluntary activities. The Chief State Solicitors Office (CSSO) who are preparing the licence which sets out the terms and conditions that are applicable to the use of a State...

Topical Issue Debate: Mortgage Resolution Processes (24 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue and I thank Deputy Coppinger for raising it. The code of conduct on mortgage arrears, CCMA, provides a strong consumer protection framework to ensure that borrowers struggling to keep up mortgage repayments are treated in a fair and transparent manner by their lender, and that long-term resolution is sought by lenders with each of...

Topical Issue Debate: Mortgage Resolution Processes (24 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: Nobody has a monopoly on concern. Deputies on all sides of this House are concerned about mortgage arrears. We all see the issue in our clinics and communities but it is not fair to say nothing is being done because the Central Bank statistics show that 117,000 family home mortgages had been restructured by the end of quarter one of this year. Those are real people, some I would guess in...

Credit Unions: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: That is unfair.

Credit Unions: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I am grateful to have an opportunity to respond to this debate and to contribute some of my own thoughts on the issue. I have no intention of engaging in any sort of partisan comments. That is unnecessary and is not what those in the Visitors Gallery came to hear last night or tonight. This is too important an issue. I accept the sincerity of Members on all sides of this House. There is...

Credit Unions: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I am a member.

Credit Unions: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: There is a process with the liquidator.

Credit Unions: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I am aware of that.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (24 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: Agriculture House is a State Owned office building and as such the occupancy of it is a matter for the Commissioners of Public Works.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Drainage Schemes Status (24 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has submitted the proposals for the Clare River (Claregalway) flood relief scheme for statutory approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts. A report commissioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) on a required independent evaluation of the Environmental Impact Statement...