Results 2,161-2,180 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: With respect to the Deputy and to everybody in this House, the legislative processes have not come forward. There will be a general scheme and an opportunity for scrutiny. I would at least ask that people see what the Government is proposing before deciding or trying to suggest it is proposing something on military neutrality which it is not. The Tánaiste has been very clear about the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I value it as well but there are issues with the triple lock and we can tease them through. We have a difference of opinion and that is okay but it is entirely possible to bring forward legislation that respects our military neutrality and addresses the changing geopolitical situation around the triple lock, the UN Security Council and the fact that there are people and countries on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I am very conscious of the anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings coming up. I will indeed give consideration to the issues that the Deputy has raised and will seek to be briefed on the matters in advance of the anniversary. I thank Deputy Boyd Barrett for raising that. I am reluctant to comment on the floor of the Dáil on the individual cases Deputy Paul Murphy raised. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 17, inclusive, together. There are various proposals for constitutional reforms under consideration. However, no final decisions have been made on the timing. I am conscious of the limited time before which a general election will be held next year. Some of the proposed reforms arise from the programme for Government, such as housing and extending...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: But the number at the moment is 12.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I am pointing out-----

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: We will have plenty of time to debate these proposals.

Ceisteanna - Questions: An Garda Síochána (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 12, inclusive, together. A Policing Service for the Future is the Government’s plan to implement the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The implementation of the plan has been overseen by a dedicated programme office in the Department of the Taoiseach and an implementation group on policing reform, chaired by an...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputies. There were quite a few questions there. I realise that in questions to the Taoiseach, we stray a lot from the actual questions. On Deputy Haughey's question regarding sanctions, Ireland welcomed the adoption of the European Union's 13th sanctions package against Russia on 23 February to coincide with the two-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: Fair play to the Deputy.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: A number of people contributed to that very important discussion on security and defence and they deserve to be heard. The issue of the triple lock came up at that forum and it highlighted the need to revisit triple lock requirements. As such, one of the key outcomes of the forum was the need for a new process to replace the current system underpinning the deployment of Irish troops abroad,...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I will raise with the Minister for Education the need for the works to be completed at Sandymount School for the benefit of the children and Enable Ireland. I will come back to Deputy Andrews directly on the issue. I note Deputy Madigan's experience in, and passion for, the area of family law. It is a priority area for the Minister, Deputy McEntee, who has put in a lot of work on it. I...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: Deputy Ó Cuív asked about An Bord Pleanála. As he rightly said, the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has been working hard in this area to increase the resources into the board. I know he will want to do more in that space and I will support him in that regard. I also think the planning Bill, which we need to pass before the summer recess, is a major piece of landmark...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. The former Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, travelled to Paris on 26 February to attend a high-level meeting on assistance to Ukraine convened by President Macron and attended by leaders and representatives from EU member states and other like-minded countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. The meeting...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Michael Healy-Rae for raising Liam’s situation on behalf of his mother, Pamela, and his grandmother, Mary. The Deputy raised this issue with me last week. He also wrote to me about it last week. I have been in contact with the Minister for Health in relation to the case. I will do so again this afternoon.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I know Cherrywood very well. I will ask the Minister for housing to reply to Deputy Boyd Barrett directly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: The committee has yet to discuss that. As Deputy McNamara knows from his participation in the justice committee, it is currently giving consideration to the Pact. I believe the committee asked for more time. It is sensible that such time is provided and then the Government will consider matters if they come back to the Dáil. In addition to the vote on the Pact, obviously any...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Brendan Smith for raising this important issue. I value the work done by the Irish Wheelchair Association. I see the benefit of it across the country and I will certainly take an interest in the issue he highlights in the service in Cavan town. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is working very hard on this matter. I will talk to the Minister...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I am reminded of the political adage of wishing Deputy Leddin luck, but not too much. I do wish him luck in his campaign. I will certainly raise the matter with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I very much appreciate the importance of this election to the people of Limerick. Limerick will be the first city and county in our country to vote for its directly elected...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: It is not. The number of children and families in emergency accommodation was reduced in March from February. That is what the Minister for housing was remarking on. There is a huge amount that we still need to do. The only way to rectify homelessness is by increasing housing supply. We took a number of actions last week to continue to drive forward with housing supply. We have seen...