Results 43,881-43,900 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Commissions of Inquiry (10 Jul 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: State Apologies (10 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: In the last twenty years apologies have been issued in the Dáil, by the Taoiseach on behalf of the State. In May 1999, the then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern T.D., made an unreserved apology on behalf of the Irish state to the victims of child abuse who had spent their childhoods in residential institutions run by 18 religious congregations. In his apology, Mr Ahern noted that abuse had...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: The Department of the Taoiseach has not requested nor drawn down funds from any EU sources in respect of Covid-19.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Programme for Government (9 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: Individual commitments in the Programme for Government are advanced through the co-ordinating mechanisms of the cabinet committee structure. The ten Cabinet Committees established by this Government reflect the full range of policy areas that are set out in the Programme for Government. Cabinet Committees meet regularly to accomplish their work. The Strategy Statements of all Government...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: National Development Plan (9 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: As set out in the revised National Development Plan (NDP), the Shared Island Fund forms part of the Government's overall commitment to all-island investment of more than €3.5 billion over 2021-2030 through the Shared Island Fund, Project Ireland 2040 funds, the Government’s annual funding for North/South cooperation, and the PEACEPLUS programme delivered with the European Union,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (9 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: The political staff employed by the Department of the Taoiseach since the formation of the Government in June 2020 are detailed in the table below. This list includes all special advisers, civilian drivers and other relevant staff employed by the Department in support of the offices of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Leader of the Green Party, Government Chief Whip, Minister of State for...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Staff (9 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: The special advisers employed by the Department of the Taoiseach since the formation of the Government in June 2020 are detailed in the table below. This list includes all advisers employed by the Department in support of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Office of the Green Party Leader and the Government Chief Whip.The appointments of special advisers are made in line with the Public Service...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Ministerial Staff (9 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: Special advisers in the Department of the Taoiseach are employed in support of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Office of the Green Party Leader and the Government Chief Whip. Details of the expenses paid to special advisers in this Department in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 are set out in the table below. Year Total 2020 €1,678.53 2021 ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: National Security (9 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 8, inclusive, together. The primary purpose of the National Security Analysis Centre is to provide strategic analysis for the Government on threats to national security and to support co-ordination between the various State bodies with national security and related functions. The Centre provides a secretariat and support for the National Security...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I met with President Macron in the Élysée Palace on Tuesday 27 August in Paris. We discussed bilateral relations and current EU and international issues. I took the opportunity to congratulate President Macron and through him the people of France on hosting a very successful Olympic Games, as well as offering my best wishes for the Paralympic Games. As our closest EU neighbour,...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Capital Expenditure Programme (9 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: The Government continues to prioritise and progress the Shared Island initiative, working with all communities and political traditions to build a shared future on this island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. Shared Island investment commitments and allocations are taken forward by Ministers and their Departments, working with Northern Ireland Executive and British Government...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Sep 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 the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy McDonald for raising this important issue. I will say at the outset, as the Ceann Comhairle has said to us before in this House, I am very conscious of discussing clinical details or, indeed, those of us discussing them who are not clinicians. I say that in a general sense but I say it in an important sense because Deputy McDonald asked me to provide operations when, of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: Deputy McDonald is better than that. At least, I thought she was. She is asking me, as a politician, to give a commitment to a child to have an operation regardless of whether a clinician believes that operation to be the best care pathway or not. That is what the Deputy is asking me to do.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: No. Unless over the summer the Deputy became a surgeon, she is asking me to recommend clinical care pathways for an extraordinarily sick child. I want that child, Harvey, to get the best clinical care possible. I want Harvey to get all of the treatment possible. I want every child in Ireland, as does the Minister for Health, to get all of the care possible and I believe the best way to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: -----it is the clinical care that is recommended. I believe that to happen. When I corresponded last night with the family, that is the point I made. We are very happy for my team to talk to the family, very happy to help in every way we can but, ultimately-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: -----a clinical decision will have to be made here and for the Deputy to suggest that there is some clinical lever that I can pull that I just could not be bothered pulling is insulting to parents of sick children.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is better than that and sick children deserve better than that.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: Stop playing politics with the issue.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this extraordinarily important issue. Lives have been destroyed. A national trauma has been unleashed and I join with her in paying tribute to Mark - I am thinking of him and his memory today - his brother David and, indeed, all the survivors and victims who came forward. They have done the State an extraordinary service. Let me be crystal clear just in...