Results 4,061-4,080 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

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: Areas like the Bahamas are autonomous on tax matters. They make their own decisions.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (24 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: Kildare County Council (KCC), in consultation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), engaged Consulting Engineers to carry out a Full Feasibility Study, Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA), and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Lower Morrell River and the surrounding River Catchment in an effort to resolve the outstanding localised flooding issues in the area. A Steering Group which...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (24 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The primary objective of Government policy on coastal protection is to ensure that in areas identified as being at greatest risk of damage or loss to economic assets through coastal erosion or flooding, appropriate and sustainable measures are identified by Local Authorities to protect those assets and, where such measures are economically justified on cost benefit grounds and compatible...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Flood Relief Schemes (24 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Byrne for raising this issue on his behalf and that of Councillor O'Reilly and for giving me an opportunity to address the Seanad on it. As the Senator knows well, the River Tolka has a history of flooding following heavy rainfall, which has been well-documented after major flood events in 1954 and in subsequent years. The river has been the subject of a number of...

Business of Dáil (30 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or the Order of the Dáil of this day, that the arrangements agreed today in relation to the proceedings on No. 13a, motion re relocation opt-ins, shall apply in relation to the following motions, which shall be taken after Oral Questions tomorrow and which shall be debated together: No.13a- Council Decision (EU) 2015/1523 of 14...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (30 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has not received a report from a consulting engineering firm in relation to minor flood relief works carried out at Inchigeela, Co Cork. I can confirm however, that under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, Cork County Council received funding of €40,000 for flood relief works at Ballingeary/Inchigeela in 2011 and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (30 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The property at 390-396 Clonard Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12 has accommodated the Probation Service for almost 20 years. The Probation Service remain in occupation of the property with plans in place to vacate by the end of 2015. The Office of Public Works (OPW) policy for properties deemed surplus is as follows: 1.Identify, in the first instance, if other State Bodies, including government...

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (30 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank the Acting Chairman. I also thank, on my behalf and that of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Howlin, all Senators from all sides of the Seanad who took the opportunity to engage in this pre-budget debate, which has been very useful. I certainly found it very thought provoking and we had quite an honest debate. In my time in the Chamber today, I have heard a number of trends being...

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (30 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I am happy to provide that clarity.

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (30 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I am sure the Minister would be happy to provide it as well. There are significant education priorities and I am sure we have all had engagements with the Irish National Teachers Organisation and the principal networks, etc. I do not mean to be partisan about the issue but I am proud of the capital plan published yesterday because it does not contain a Bertie Bowl or a white elephant. It...

Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Status (1 Oct 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Timmins for raising the matter and providing me with an opportunity to update the House on the status of plans for the Arklow flood relief scheme. A flood relief scheme for the town of Arklow is being advanced by Wicklow County Council in partnership with the Office of Public Works, OPW, which is providing the funding. The project is being overseen by a steering group which...

Other Questions: Flood Relief Schemes Status (1 Oct 2015)

Simon Harris: I would be delighted to indicate that. It is my hope and belief that we will be able to hold a public information day in Arklow in early 2016 at the latest. If all goes well following that consultation and there is an acceptance of the scheme by local residents and business owners, I expect the county council to lodge a planning permission application with An Bord Pleanála in mid-2016....

Other Questions: Drainage Schemes Status (1 Oct 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Kyne for raising this question and for his persistence on what is an important matter. I confirm that the River Clare drainage scheme will be proceeding. The Office of Public Works, OPW, in association with Galway County Council, has developed a flood relief scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts for the River Clare in the environs of Claregalway. In recognition of the...

Other Questions: Drainage Schemes Status (1 Oct 2015)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is correct. As a result of the Claregalway scheme being the first, it is fair to say that it has taken longer than one would wish. We have consulted the Office of the Attorney General on putting in place an adequate, streamlined and efficient system to deal with schemes. However, there is news for the Deputy that differs from that provided last year, namely, the process in my...

Other Questions: Drainage Schemes Status (1 Oct 2015)

Simon Harris: I largely agree. It is important that we have systems in place to deal speedily with schemes. It is also important that the State carry out this work in accordance with the law, including our European commitments under environmental law. I am pleased to be able to update Deputy Kyne on the significant progress that has been made with the Claregalway scheme. Under the capital plan...

Other Questions: Flood Risk Assessments (1 Oct 2015)

Simon Harris: Deputy Fleming’s question is timely in the light of the capital plan. Good progress is being made on the national catchment flood risk assessment and management, CFRAM, programme which is the principal vehicle for implementing the EU floods directive and forms the strategic focus of national flood policy for some years, since approximately 2006. Engineering consultants have been...

Other Questions: Flood Risk Assessments (1 Oct 2015)

Simon Harris: There are six.

Other Questions: Flood Risk Assessments (1 Oct 2015)

Simon Harris: I accept the point made by Deputy Fleming. I expect the consultation to take place very shortly, in the coming weeks. We have carried out more consultation in this country than we ever had to do on CFRAM. That was the appropriate thing to do. We put in new layers of consultation, which exceeded our obligations under the EU floods directive. We must now physically publish the maps. ...

Other Questions: Flood Risk Assessments (1 Oct 2015)

Simon Harris: I am pleased the Deputy raised the issue of planning. I visited far too many homes where people have been flooded in houses that should never have been built but were, due to irresponsible planning by local authorities throughout the country. The publication of the CFRAM maps does not create risk. The maps tell people about the risk that exists. There is often a misconception that the...

Finance (Tax Appeals) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2015)

Simon Harris: The Minister for Finance and I sincerely thank the Members on all sides who contributed to this debate. As the Minister stated, the reform of the tax appeals system will positively reform the role, functions and structure of the Office of the Appeal Commissioners and the tax appeals system. The Minister and I appreciate the welcome of various Deputies for this reform process. It will serve...