Results 43,241-43,260 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Can I beg the Ceann Comhairle's indulgence for 20 seconds? I will be very quick. On Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan's issue in respect of childcare, capital investment and the north side enterprise, the Minister is bringing forward that capital funding, as the Deputy said. I take the point he makes around the time sensitivity in north Cork. I will come back to him directly on that. ...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Programmes (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 to 28, inclusive, together. The child poverty and well-being programme office was established in the Department of the Taoiseach in 2023 in order to make sure we prioritise children, particularly vulnerable children, and to make sure they get a real chance to realise their own potential. "From Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Programmes (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Departmental Programmes (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: To Deputy Tully, regarding the point she made about the working family payment and the one-parent family and the challenges she outlined that present when the youngest child reaches the age of seven, these are matters we consider in the context of the budget. We have taken several measures to help remove poverty traps and cliff edges. We have also tried to take a number of measures,...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 to 38, inclusive, together. On 10 April I spoke by phone to the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. We each acknowledged the depth and the breadth of the British-Irish relationship and the value we attach to it. We discussed the positive leadership which the First Minister and deputy First Minister have shown since their appointment in February. We...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputies very much. I acknowledge Deputy Brendan Smith's leadership of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly but also his leadership more broadly on North-South issues over a sustained period. I was delighted to attend the BIPA meeting. I was even more delighted that it was held in my constituency. The Deputy could not have known I was going to be Taoiseach at that time, so...

Europe Day: Statements (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: You can go first.

Europe Day: Statements (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: In the spirit of collaboration.

Europe Day: Statements (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: It is a particular honour to contribute as Taoiseach to this year's Dáil statements marking Europe Day. It is a timely opportunity to reflect on our EU membership and on the European Union's role in the world. Ireland's EU membership over more than five decades has brought many benefits. It offers freedom for our citizens to live, work or study throughout Europe. It provides access...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: European Council (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I attended a Special European Council meeting in Brussels on the 17/18 April. Over a working dinner we discussed a range of international issues including Ukraine, the Middle East, and the EU’s relations with Türkiye. President Zelenskyy of Ukraine joined by video link. On 18 April, we had a comprehensive discussion on Europe’s competitiveness and the need to...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I discussed the situation in the Middle East by phone with Prime Minister Sánchez on Monday 6 May, including plans to recognise the state of Palestine. This was also the focus of our discussion when the Prime Minister visited Dublin on Friday 12 April. We shared deep concern at the potential impacts of an Israeli military operation in Rafah. The international community has made it...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together. I met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels on 11 April. Our meeting covered many of the significant issues currently on the EU’s agenda. We discussed the very worrying situation in Ukraine, and the country’s urgent need for continuing financial and military support. We...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Northern Ireland (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: The Government made and announced allocations from the Shared Island Fund most recently on 20 February, with funding commitments to: contribute to the redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast; introduce an hourly-frequency rail service between Dublin and Belfast; create a renewed visitor experience at the Battle of the Boyne site in Meath; and, move ahead with construction of the landmark...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: No employee within the Department of the Taoiseach or the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), which is the only body under the aegis of the Department, is currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Stardust Fire (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: The Stardust fire was a national tragedy that has left a particular legacy of pain for the country and most particularly for the people of North Dublin. It has had a lasting impact on all those who attended that night. Following the State apology, it was communicated to the families that the HSE’s National Counselling Service is available to provide dedicated counselling for those...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: A comprehensive evaluation of how the country managed COVID-19 will provide an opportunity to learn lessons from our experiences in dealing with a pandemic. It will include a review of the whole-of-government response to the pandemic and how we might do better and be in a stronger position if another pandemic or other similar type event were to occur. It will include a consideration of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Citizens' Assembly (8 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Three of the four Citizens' Assemblies committed to under the Programme for Government have been completed. The relevant government departments are now drafting detailed responses to the Dublin Citizens' Assembly and the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. An Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use is expected to shortly commence examining the most recent report, from the Citizens'...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. She likes to talk about our party's time in government. When my party came into government in 2011, fewer than 7,000 homes were built that year. Despite a global pandemic and a construction sector having to be shut down on many occasions, more than 32,000 homes were constructed last year alone. Later this year we will be in a position to revise...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: And your rhetoric certainly will not solve it either. Proposing to abolish all of the schemes that we put in place that help people to move out of the box room and into their own homes certainly will not make progress either. I have answered the question very clearly in relation to long-term leasing and the Government's plan to end that by 31 December 2025. That is the Government...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Cairns for also raising this matter. First, context is important. While I have already outlined the Government's intention to end the use of long-term leasing by the end of 2025, I want anybody watching in at home to be aware that this is a very small part of our overall housing provision and a very small part of our social housing provision. If the Deputy will allow me a...