Results 4,461-4,480 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: Sorry.

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Second Stage (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: No.

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: It could be a Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil Government.

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: This is not a debate about flooding. I would like to respond to some of the extraordinarily partisan remarks made by Deputy Fleming in the middle of a national weather emergency. These remarks are regrettable because many Members from all sides of this House have been working with local communities in extraordinarily difficult situations. I do not think anybody other than Deputy Fleming's...

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: Deputy Lawlor has summed up the position very well on behalf of the Government. It shows the hypocrisy of Sinn Féin policies North and South. The Bill is one in which the Government is undertaking to legislate in a number of areas where we gave commitments arising from the report of Dr. Thornhill. The Minister made it clear on budget day that it was his intention to do that. There...

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: It did not say that.

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: In the interests of time, I note that while I disagree with the various assertions Deputy Tóibín made for many reasons and while the tax powers may be in Westminster, I presume that Westminster does not write Sinn Féin's budget submissions, which is what I have a difficulty with in terms of the difference in marginal tax rates. I will wait to debate the other issues during the...

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: I know Deputy Daly appreciates Deputy Lawlor’s interest in this and it is an issue he has raised. I accept Deputy Daly’s bona fides on this issue which she has been pursuing for some time. The Minister for Finance and I are very aware of the issues she is trying to address with her proposed amendments. I acknowledge the stressful situations that individuals face when issues...

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: No.

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: We were dealing with the Bill while the Deputy was being populist.

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: We have already put measures in place for the people whose properties have been flooded.

Ramming of Garda Vehicles Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, who is unable to be here this afternoon, I thank Deputy Griffin for bringing this Bill before the House. It is clear that the subject matter of the Bill is one to which we can all relate. We are very conscious of the important work done by people operating in front-line duties, in particular An Garda...

Ramming of Garda Vehicles Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: I again thank Deputy Griffin on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality for bringing forth this Bill. It is clear from Deputies' interventions that we are agreed on the need to ensure and, where possible, strengthen the protection of the Garda Síochána in the line of duty. Gardaí frequently find themselves in situations which most of us would not even wish to...

Coroners Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, who regrets that she is unable to attend this debate, I thank Deputy Clare Daly for bringing forward this Bill, which raises very important issues. Like the Deputy, I note the presence in the Gallery today of several people who have lost those very close to them in tragic circumstances. The Minister asked me, in...

Coroners Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] (11 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Clare Daly and all those who contributed to the debate about these very important issues. I reiterate that it is the Minister's intention that the Government will not oppose this Bill on Second Stage. The Minister very much appreciates the intention behind the Bill and what the Deputy is trying to achieve. As the Minister has asked me to indicate, the legislation will...

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Prevention Measures (15 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: I agree.

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Prevention Measures (15 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. I agree with his initial comments and have said a number of times in the past week or ten days that politicians, regardless of political persuasion, donning wellies and standing around looking sympathetic will not serve much purpose. I visited Bandon and Skibbereen yesterday because the county council had passed a motion calling on me to...

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Prevention Measures (15 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: I join with Deputy Dooley in paying tribute to those people he has rightly highlighted as heroes in the response to the very bad weather. I too was struck by the story of the huge ordeal the Kinsella family has gone through and I pay tribute to them for their major efforts. It is important to note that the CFRAM process will reduce the time it takes to deliver a scheme by about two years....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (15 Dec 2015)

Simon Harris: No application has been received to date by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under its Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme from Kerry County Council (KCC) for Kenmare, Co Kerry. However, it remains open to KCC to apply to the OPW for funding under this Scheme for mitigation measures that meet the Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that the...