Results 45,861-45,880 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Smith. I believe that when the representatives of Palestine met the foreign affairs committee and addressed the matter, they referred to Ireland and possibly Algeria as two of the most supportive countries of their actions. Perhaps that is not articulated enough in the House. This country, the Government and the Oireachtas are doing everything we possibly can, and we will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The Governor of the Central Bank outlined the legal and practical situation yesterday at the Oireachtas committee. Nobody wants to see anything happening that in any way provides any support, direct or indirect, to the Israeli Government's horrific actions and the genocidal activity. We have to operate within the laws of the land and the laws of Europe, but we continue to work our way...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Corps (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 20, 23, 29, 34, 42, 62, 66 and 79 together. I thank Deputy Smith for this question. It is a very important one on an important issue; it is a critical matter. I have already set out to the House a number of immediate steps that I have taken to ensure the restricted air traffic control service operating in Baldonnel is restored to full service. In...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Corps (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes and yes. Yes, the plan is to get the service back up and running on a 24-7 basis as quickly as possible. The exact timeline for that, to be blunt, depends on the individual conversations the Air Corps leadership is having with individual people in terms of air traffic control. Those conversations are under way and I am hoping for a readout with an update on that very shortly. There...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Air Corps (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I agree with the point Deputy Smith makes about the need for that kind of structural, strategic look at those key pinch points, those personnel, and I take the point he makes about commercial activity. To Deputy Crowe's point, without over-commenting on it for a load of operational and security reasons, there are workarounds in place to ensure support for the Garda in terms of the Garda...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Security (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Cearúil for the question. As he rightly says, our programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, sets out a number of commitments relating to national security. It is probably the most robust programme for Government in terms of national security and the focus, quite rightly, on security and security defence infrastructure. It acknowledges that this is a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Security (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I agree with everything the Deputy has said. We face multiple and varied threats. This is not just Ireland but all other European countries as well. I was cheering inside when the Deputy said that neutrality cannot be used as an excuse for complacency. We all value military neutrality but sometimes when defence and security are mentioned in here, questions are raised about military...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Security (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is absolutely right. I can assure him that it will be all of those things and it will be multifaceted. Certain Departments have primacy in terms of their direct responsibility for the security of the State and the country. My Department and the Department of justice are obvious ones in that regard. However, all Departments and all agencies have a role to play. That is why I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 80 together. The Government remains fully committed to seeking and securing justice for Seán Rooney, his family and for the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann who served with him with pride and distinction. During my recent visit to southern Lebanon, I conveyed this in very clear and blunt terms to the new Lebanese Government, its...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I join with Deputy Doherty in extending my sympathy to all of those caught up in the very tragic and horrific plane crash this morning. We think of all of them and their families in what is an evolving story with, no doubt, more information to come. I too want to extend my sympathies to the Deputy's colleague, Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh, on the loss of her mother. Ar dheis Dé go...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government produced a series of measures this week that will extend for the very first time rent pressure zones to the constituency Deputy Doherty represents in Dáil Éireann. Do you not welcome that?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Hang on a second. In Donegal today there is no rent pressure zone. In the proposals brought forward by the Minister, Deputy Browne, the rent pressure zones will be extended to Deputy Doherty's constituency and we will bring forward legislation next week to do this. Deputy Doherty did not reference the changes in relation to no-fault evictions. He did not recognise the fact that rent...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I will answer it and I will not be shouted down, thank you.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The only split and confusion that seems to be taking place in housing policy is in Sinn Féin. Mary Lou McDonald, Deputy Doherty's leader-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Hang on a second.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I am answering the question, thank you.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Mary Lou McDonald said she is in favour of rent pressure zones.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Eoin Ó Broin said he is not and that he is in favour of reference rent. Reference rent would see people's rents being pushed up.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Mary Lou McDonald said she does not want institutional investment in Ireland.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Eoin Ó Broin said he and Deputy Doherty meet them regularly. Sinn Féin is all over the place on housing. Its policy did not work so it does not have a housing policy now. All it has is noise and street activism. We will be taking specific measures to support students; do not worry we will, because we have their backs.