Results 3,961-3,980 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: It is movie night.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: That is not what happened.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (1 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 to 84, inclusive, together. The proposed attenuation works in Tymon Park are part of the overall options for dealing with flood risk on the Poddle River. These options were identified under the East Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (ECFRAM) study, and on which the public were consulted in 2013. The proposals for flood mitigation measures...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Public Health Policy (1 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Burke for raising this issue for discussion today. I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar, who is unable to be here due to Government business. Neural tube defects, NTDs, include a range of serious congenital malformations as a result of incomplete closure of the neural tube within a month of conception. They include...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Public Health Policy (1 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for his comments. I am pleased to note that the HSE and the Department of Health have informed me that GPs are key partners in this campaign which is due to be rolled out this month. I shall pass his comments on to the Minister for Health. I also thank him for the timely opportunity to remind people of the importance of this issue in advance of the new advertising campaign.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Eurozone Crisis (1 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to have an opportunity to outline to the House the efforts that are being undertaken by the Irish Government, and our euro area colleagues, during Greece’s current difficult economic times.I thank Senator Bradford for providing me with the opportunity to do so. I agree with much of what the Senator said. It is important that solidarity is shown in Europe and people walk...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: This is a drafting amendment to include the words "Commission regarding Bank of Ireland", so as to identify the type of instrument in the subject matter in the interests of consistency as is done with the other instruments in the Bill.

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: This is also a drafting amendment to rectify a typographical error in the subject matter of a proclamation of 1768 that incorrectly refers to Northern Ireland rather than Northumberland. I express my gratitude to Senator Mooney who identified this error and brought it to the attention of my officials.

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: The following table details the number of Bills being repealed: Statute Law Revision Act/Bill: Number of laws assessed Number of laws identified as already repealed/ disenabled Number of laws repealed by each Act Of the total laws repealed, number of express repeals Of the total laws repealed, number of implied repeals Number of laws...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for her question. The reform of the public procurement system across the public service is a key element of the public sector reform programme.  Fragmented procurement arrangements have facilitated, among other things, suppliers charging different public service bodies different prices for the same goods and services. Public procurement savings are...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge the Deputy's support for the OGP. We have had some useful discussions in the House on these issues, including on the legislation introduced by the Deputy which dealt with the social clauses aspect. That is an issue the working group continues to consider and I hope to be able to report progress shortly in that regard. Circular 16/13, issued by the OGP and the Department of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: As I have already outlined, Circular 16/13 encourages public bodies to utilise the central framework agreements.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I have outlined that where they are not in a position to do so, they must produce a value-for-money justification.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: In regard to that, I have outlined that the value-for-money justification must include the full cost of running a public procurement competition. I hope we have an opportunity to engage in a sustained, lengthy and necessary debate on the purpose of public procurement because it is not a subsidy. Deputy McDonald and I had the pleasure of serving on the Committee of Public Accounts together...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: We have a duty-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I am not talking down the clock, the Deputy is interrupting me. We have a duty also to get value for money for taxpayers. We need to encourage our SMEs to get involved in the reform programme and I remain absolutely committed to that. However, we have a duty on value for money. We cannot be hypocritical and criticise public servants for not getting value for money for taxpayers and then...

Other Questions: Office of Public Works Properties (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Kyne for the question. The Office of Public Works operates guide services at approximately 70 sites nationwide. Some of these locations are open on a full-time basis. However, the majority, approximately 46, are open seasonally on various dates between April and October. The guided visitor sites operated in Galway and Mayo and their relevant opening arrangements this year...

Other Questions: Office of Public Works Properties (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Kyne. Athenry Castle had 743 visitors on free Wednesdays last year out of a total of 13,532 visitors. I will make these figures available to the Deputy. All in all, more than 6,700 people visited our heritage sites in Galway and Mayo on the free Wednesdays and more than 217,000 people visited those same sites in Galway and Mayo during the entire year of 2014. In addition to...

Other Questions: Office of Public Works Properties (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I will be happy to look at this on a case-by-case basis. The Office of Public Works approaches these issues with a view to wanting to engage with the community. We are very reliant on community support. The success of the OPW in presenting our heritage is based on this collaborative approach between community organisations, local authorities, Fáilte Ireland and the Office of Public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: As per Deputy Fleming's request, I have provided him with a list of works under the aegis of the Office of Public Works that satisfy the criteria outlined by him. Following clarification, this list comprises: - Capital Works with an associated cost greater than €100,000; - Commenced or expected to Commence in 2015; - OPW funded or Client-funded Works carried out by OPW. Where contracts...