Results 4,041-4,060 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Reports (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I understand from the Commissioners of Public Works that the space audit in the Government Offices, Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise and in the Eircom Building is now complete. The analysis of these surveys is still ongoing in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The space audit, however, consist of floor plans of both buildings and I would be happy to arrange for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Drainage Schemes (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The River Feale Catchment Drainage Scheme was carried by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, and the OPW continues to have a statutory responsibility for the maintenance of this scheme. Each year the OPW carries out work to approximately 2,000km of channels and about 200 structures around the country as part of its ongoing and rolling arterial drainage...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The former Social Welfare Office at Bohernasup is currently being used for the archiving of files for both the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and Department of Social Protection. As this is a State owned property, the Commissioners of Public Works have a duty of care to ensure that the building fabric is maintained and have carried out essential works by...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Drainage Schemes Status (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has submitted the proposals for the Clare River (Claregalway) flood relief scheme for statutory approval or confirmation 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...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The river concerned does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act. The OPW therefore has no responsibility for the maintenance of the channel, nor any authority to carry out any works there. Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: A flood relief scheme for Glanmire, known as the Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme, is being advanced by Cork County Council which is the Contracting Authority for the proposed works. The Council appointed consultants for the project in late 2013 and two public information days have been held on the project in order to consult with the general public. A preferred option is expected to be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: In relation to the Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme, a preferred scheme design option was presented at a statutory Public Exhibition which took place from 15th December 2014 to 20th January 2015. Members of the Public were invited to submit observations on the preferred option by 20th February 2015. All the observations received from concerned parties have been considered and the public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is currently being undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with its consultants, local authorities and other stakeholders, in line with national flood policy and the EU Directive (2007/EC/60). The six studies in the current Programme will assess flood risk in 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs)...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Staff (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the position of Manager at the Blasket Centre will be considered in the context of OPW’s overall workforce planning.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (22 Sep 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. For clarification, a separate or further Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required but rather the Confirmation or approval process requires the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (23 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The river concerned does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act. The OPW therefore has no responsibility for the maintenance of the channel, nor any authority to carry out works there. Tralee is one of 300 locations nationwide that is being assessed under the OPW's Catchment Flood...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (23 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The river concerned does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act. The OPW therefore has no responsibility for the maintenance of the channel, nor any authority to carry out works there. Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has incurred expenditure on drainage works in County Cavan in the period in question in respect of both its ongoing programme of maintenance of watercourses and channels under Arterial Drainage Schemes carried out by it in the county and in respect of funding provided to Cavan County Council for works...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Flood Prevention Measures (23 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Naughton for giving me the opportunity to address the Seanad on these matters. The Office of Public Works has arrangements in place with consultants to provide a tidal and storm surge forecasting service for the coast of Ireland to local authorities and to other relevant stakeholders during the autumn and winter period. This service is now operating for the 2015 to 2016...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Flood Prevention Measures (23 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I agree with the Senator that we need a national plan. When CFRAM is concluded, we will for the first time in the history of the State have a national flood mapping exercise. However, more than just mapping the problem, we will also have structural solutions where they exist for each of the problems. That will provide a roadmap for this and future Governments to deliver once and for all on...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Beef Data Programme (23 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator MacSharry. I am pleased to be here on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who regrets that he cannot be here. The beef data and genomics programme, BDGP, was launched by the Minister on 5 May last. It is part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and involves funding of some €300 million over the next six years and...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Beef Data Programme (23 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: It is appropriate that in the week of the ploughing championships we should have an opportunity to discuss agricultural matters in this House. I, therefore, thank Senator MacSharry for affording us that opportunity. I will certainly convey his views to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I reiterate that the RDP will be subject to a mid-term review. All schemes are subject...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements Motion: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (23 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank the Chairman. I am pleased to be here this afternoon to introduce to the committee three draft Government orders giving force of law in Ireland to three new double taxation agreements with Zambia, Ethiopia and Pakistan; one draft Government order giving force of law to a protocol to the double taxation agreement with Germany and three draft Government orders giving force of law in...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements Motion: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (23 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: Is the Chairman asking why the Irish ambassador to the United Kingdom signed the agreement with the Bahamas?

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements Motion: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (23 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I will check that out for the Chairman. I will now deal with the questions on BEPS. As the Chairman knows we are now reaching the finality and the BEPS reports are expected to be published in October. The BEPS action plan includes the development of measures to prevent the abuse of treaties. Some of these measures will involve changes to the OECD model convention on which Ireland's...