Results 43,621-43,640 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 14, inclusive, together. Individual commitments in the programme for Government are advanced through the co-ordinating mechanisms of the Cabinet committee structure. There are ten Cabinet committees established by the Government to reflect the full range of policy areas set out in the programme for Government. Cabinet committees meet regularly to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I am not aware of that situation but is a very serious matter to raise. Let me ask for a report from the relevant Department. Dublin Zoo is independently run but receives funding from the State. I take animal welfare extraordinarily seriously. I was utterly horrified by the revelations in the "Prime Time Investigates" programme last week. I want to receive a full and comprehensive report...

International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to accept the following measures: (a) Directive (EU) 2024/1346...

International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: And yours.

International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: It does not.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: The Report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings led by the late Mr Justice Henry Barron was published in December 2003. A sub-committee of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s Rights was established to consider the Report and produce recommendations. These recommendations were published in March 2004 as...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Strategies (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: A Policing Service for our Future is the Government’s Plan to implement the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Implementation of the Plan has been overseen by a dedicated Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach and an Implementation Group on Policing Reform (IGPR), chaired by an independent person. This phase is expected to conclude this...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Strategies (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: A Policing Service for our Future is the Government’s Plan to implement the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Implementation of the Plan has been overseen by a dedicated Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach and an Implementation Group on Policing Reform (IGPR), chaired by an independent person. This phase is expected to conclude this...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Child Poverty (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 70 together. The Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office was established in the Department of the Taoiseach in 2023 to prioritise action across government in areas that will have the greatest impact for children and families experiencing poverty. From Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child Well-being 2023-2025 was published last...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Child Poverty (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I was delighted to host the Child Poverty and Well-being Summit on Thursday 23rd May in Dublin Castle. I welcomed the former UK Prime Minister and Chancellor the Right Honourable Gordon Brown, who shared what he had learned from his experience of reducing child poverty rates in the UK in his keynote address. My colleague Roderic O’ Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: The Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability oversees Programme for Government commitments relating to Children, Education and Disability and receives detailed reports on identified policy areas such as child poverty and well-being, local area disadvantage and the reform of disability services. In addition to the meetings of the full Cabinet and of Cabinet committees, I...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (19 Jun 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: Cabinet Committees (19 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: The Cabinet Committee on Housing last met on Thursday, 30th May. The Committee is scheduled to meet again on Thursday 11th July.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. At his invitation, I want to begin by acknowledging the passing of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. It is with the heaviest of hearts that I, like people across this country, today learned of his death. The word "legend" gets used too often in Ireland but, for Mícheál, it is a word that is almost not good enough. His voice, his colour, his...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: There absolutely is. It is one I take very seriously. It is a responsibility I do not shirk from at all. To touch on some of the issues the Deputy raised, in the case of an enlisted member of the Defence Forces, I am told that, following a conviction where imprisonment or a suspended sentence is awarded or an appeal has been heard or not submitted, the process for discharge commences upon...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Cairns for quite rightly raising this issue. I also thank her for her words in relation to the Minister, Deputy McGrath - who I join her in congratulating - and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. I want the Deputy to know that we do not just say, "Never again". Never have I uttered those words. What we need to do is to adopt a zero-tolerance approach in Ireland when...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: That is not fair.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: Fair point.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I am absolutely furious about what has happened in this country - just to be very clear. There is nobody in this House more disgusted than anybody else. Nobody. I am not just a Taoiseach. I am a father. I am a son. I am a husband. Everybody wants to live in a country with zero tolerance, and nobody suggests zero tolerance is some sort of slogan or platitude. Zero tolerance is the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Murphy. At the outset, I want to say I am sorry for getting a bit passionate in the last answer, but I think everybody in the House is just so angered. I want to thank Deputy Cairns for raising the important issue. I thank Deputy Murphy for highlighting this issue relating to the RTB. I know she is highlighting a broader issue but if she wants to send to my office the...