Results 46,481-46,500 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: I do not agree with that analysis at all. Absolutely, we have seen a significant increase in public spending and that has provided record numbers of new school places, record numbers of special schools and record numbers of-----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: -----people working in our public services. It has provided record levels of investment in the public service and the things Deputy Whitmore talked about.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: There is a constant attempt to interrupt. We had it the first time I answered the question and are having it the second time. I am trying to answer the question. I have one minute available. We are investing in public services and have put that money to good use. It is seen in communities across the length and breadth of our country. I have stood beside the Deputy at many a...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: In constituencies across the country, we have seen the benefit: new schools, Garda stations, new healthcare facilities, primary care services, expanded public transport. We have invested lots of money but we have more to do, including getting to 300,000 more homes; investing in our health, particularly infrastructure around elective hospitals; and access to therapy services. The decision my...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: I do not, but I do not particularly think it is a good idea that Sinn Féin chairs the Joint Committee on Defence and National Security either. Sometimes that is way things work out in terms of the division of responsibility.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: Am I allowed to have a view?
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: What is scandalous about me having the view that I would rather Sinn Féin did not hold that position? What is wrong with that?
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: As Deputy O'Gorman will know, I am allowed to have a political view.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: I have no-----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: I have no intention-----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: I do not believe Sinn Féin should chair a committee on national security. It is not a shocking position for the leader of Fine Gael to hold that I do not think Sinn Féin should be anywhere near national security. I will continue to hold that view and I will work day and night to make sure it never is.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: That point I am making to Deputy O'Gorman is this. I understand the rapporteur positions on European parliamentary committees are divided up, if not quite by a d'Hondt system by a system reflecting the various strengths of parties in the Parliament. Fine Gael only has one MEP, I think, on the environment committee. It is Seán Kelly, who is a substitute member. I also understand there...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: I do not accept the Deputy’s framing at all. I was endeavouring to engage constructively on this but the Deputy does not wish to, with “our guy” and “my guy” and stuff. My party's record on climate is very clear, thanks very much. We worked with Deputy O'Gorman in the last Government for five years. We worked with his predecessor, the former Minister,...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: Before I get into the politics of some of that, when we are talking about domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, which is an important topic, can we please be clear that increased reporting is a good thing?
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: Let us have a little bit of decorum in how we speak in this House. The Deputy has spoken for three minutes. I am just looking to reply. The Minister, Helen McEntee, has done more than any Minister in the history of our State in terms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence with a zero-tolerance strategy. I am very proud of the work of this Government around the issue. We have a...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: I did not say that either.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: I just asked the Deputy-----
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: And I have lost four.
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle might reset my time, if that is possible. I thank him. Deputy Tóibín takes this access to cash for granted. The economy cannot be taken for granted, by the way. He just kind of glosses over that fact. The fact that we have resources is down to the good, prudent management of our country by this Government, its hard work and the hard work of the Irish...
- Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Jul 2025)
Simon Harris: Attendance: reasonable effort, but a lot of noise for a class of just two TDs. Chasing every divisive issue and seeking to divide this country and misrepresent the Government's position: A+.