Results 21,361-21,380 of 45,789 for speaker:Simon Harris
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: I thank the Senators for putting down these amendments on what is an area that was debated extensively at the Oireachtas committee where many different views were expressed and different testimony heard. It was debated extensively also during the referendum campaign and in the other House. I will start by outlining the importance of making sure that people who are being referred to in the...
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: I will not be provoked during this debate but I will not sit here and be neglectful in my duties as the health Minister. I am perfectly entitled and, indeed, duty-bound to have a view on the delivery of health services in this country-----
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: -----that we fund on behalf of the taxpayers, staff whom we pay and facilities that we support. It is entirely appropriate for me to step up to the plate in ensuring there are free, safe and legal services available for women with a crisis pregnancy. While Senator Mullen and I are on our Christmas holidays, we will not be in crisis with a pregnancy. Our bodies will not be in crisis, God...
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: The Senator put up posters about the legislation. His entire campaign was based on the premise of the legislation. I refer to the period of 12 weeks. Throughout the country he debated this. He worked extremely hard for his campaign on the content of the legislation, as did I, and now here we are.
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: I am being criticised for doing what I promised to do.
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: My apologies.
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: Whether I am incompetent or-----
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: The record of the House will show my answer. It is to make the Bill comply with the Interpretation Act 2005, which deals with how periods of time should be understood when included in legislative provisions. I quoted directly from that Act.
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: Very briefly, because I am conscious of what Senator Ruane said. I will take 20 seconds to clarify the matter. The Interpretation Act states - I am paraphrasing now - that the day on which the certification takes place also counts as a day, so if a woman were to see her doctor on a Monday, the Monday and the following Tuesday and Wednesday would be the three days and, therefore, the...
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: I will not be in a position to accept this amendment proposed by Senators, which is, as acknowledged by Senators Ó Domhnaill and Mullen, virtually indistinguishable from an amendment on this subject put forward in the Dáil. While I can see that the amendments are proposed with the care of infants in mind and I do not dispute the Senators' bona fides on that either, the purpose of...
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: I cannot verify the information the Senator just put on the record of the House.
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: We all are.
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: I am not championing it.
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: No, it was not.
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: There was nothing "best" about it.
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: I am not.
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: No, I should be in a position to-----
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: No, I am not. I am under a duty to discuss the legislation before the House; nothing more.
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: No.
- Seanad: Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Dec 2018)
Simon Harris: The Senator is reading from the transcript of Dáil proceedings.