Results 2,001-2,020 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I assure the Deputy there is a while to go in this Government yet, so he should not get too excited. I believe the Tánaiste may have been in Waterford at a private function, possibly even a wedding. I was in Dungarvan.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: No, I think he was at a private event. I was canvassing, and people were asking for the Deputy. I was also in Dungarvan. It was a beautiful day. The sun was out and we were talking about the launch of the traditional Irish music festival. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, knows about it. I was also in Tramore meeting young guys and girls in the surfing school there. I very much...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I fully agree. That is why when I was Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science - I thank the Deputy for his kind words - we set up a number of apprenticeships specifically in partnership with the haulage industry. We remain open for business in terms of doing more. It is also why migrants are good in this country, because when we talk to the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy very much for raising the important issue of the need for a swimming pool in Maynooth. I will certainly raise the matter with the Minister of State with responsibility for sport, Deputy Thomas Byrne, and ask that he and I would revert directly to the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: That is a sensible idea relating to craft apprenticeships and the composition of the 10,000 new registrations a year that will be in this space. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, about that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: No. I agree with the Deputy's point about craft apprenticeships among the 10,000. There is a public sector target. The Deputy mentioned local authorities. It is to reach 750 apprenticeships a year by 2025.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: The overall total of 750 apprenticeships are not craft apprenticeships, but it is the public sector target. I will come back to her specifically on the craft composition of the 10,000 target.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: The timeline for that legislation remains as was, namely, later this month. I thank the Bacik for raising this important matter. I note the judgment delivered by Mr. Justice Humphreys yesterday in the Northern Ireland High Court, which found that certain provisions of the UK's Illegal Migration Act 2023 are incompatible with the Windsor Framework and the ECHR. We are studying the judgment...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I certainly will take a look at the specific scenario the Deputy has outlined to the House. I had a meeting relating to CDNTs yesterday, with the Ministers of State, Deputies Rabbitte and Naughton, and others, at the Cabinet committee on disability. I received some encouraging numbers on recruitment numbers into the teams. Certainly, the word "rationing", if that is what is happening, is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I will do my best to give one helpful answer. I have read the report but, as Taoiseach, I wish to give it proper and thorough consideration and have the Government consider the matter. In general, my party's position has been for many years, and will continue under my leadership, to have a free vote on matters of conscience.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising the very important case of Liam. It is one with which I am very familiar because I have heard from many of Liam's family and friends. Many of them have written to me, as have many people in his community. Of course, it is a case that case has garnered, quite rightly, much public attention. While I am reluctant to talk too much about any individual patient on...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Many Members of the Opposition have asked for a debate on migration. I am happy for there to be a debate in the House on migration. It is a matter for the Business Committee to decide when best to schedule that. We have our business schedule this week. Sinn Féin has had many Private Members' Business motions. Are there three this week?

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Sinn Féin also has two Private Members' motions in this House this week. One is on a very important topic indeed. There are options for people in terms of how they wish to use their proportion of Dáil time. We are happy to have a debate on migration in this House and we are happy to engage with the Business Committee as to how best to go about that and the appropriate time for that.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Let us also have a degree of context and fairness when we have that debate. The Government met today and considered ten actions on how we can look at a variety of ways to make our migration system more sustainable. This is not a question of abject failure. It is a question of looking at how the numbers have gone from about 3,500 people a year to one where we saw 106,000 people fleeing war...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: There are many legitimate requests for a debate on migration. What is not legitimate is when Members of this House say things that are completely offensive and Trumpian in fact such as things like "mouthpieces in the media" or that there has not been a debate. I am telling the Deputy that is untrue. The Ceann Comhairle can check the record of this House. There have been many, many...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: He then says there have been no debates.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I do not have the figures in front of me - I will check - but I would imagine that housing commencements in Galway city are increasing-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: -----as they are across the country. I will check. I am not taking from the Deputy's point. Across the country, housing commencements are increasing. I assure the Deputy that when State agencies like Uisce Éireann and others make investment decisions, they do so cognisant of the national planning framework and the national development plan. A new national planning framework will...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Connolly for raising the question. I think she will understand and appreciate that I may have to come back to her on some of the specific issues she has highlighted in relation to her constituency, as is right and proper for her to do. On a broad level, when we look at the issue of housing and balanced regional development, I accept the importance of needing to look at in the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: That is true; I have not met her on them yet anyway.