Results 2,181-2,200 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy. Obviously, people and communities absolutely matter. That is why it is important to say on the record that there will be an opportunity, before the draft guidelines are finalised, for further input and consultation, including with CEPA. I have no difficulty at all in meeting with CEPA. I just have to arrange it in my diary. I am very happy to make sure that happens,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: First, we are not waiting for any targets. We have a target for this year. It was always very clear what the target was going to be for this year.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I believe we will exceed the target for this year. I accept that the targets need to significantly increase. There is a political consensus in relation to that. There is a body of work under way for quite a period of time and, for clarity, the revised targets will be published this year. That is the position. I hope that the draft national planning framework, which I believe is due to be...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: There are a hell of a lot of people in this country who still want their son or daughter to be able to buy a home. Social homes matter, affordable homes matter, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the builder building private homes as well. We need that mix and that composition.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Canney for raising this issue today on behalf of his constituents. I passionately believe in renewable energy. I believe it is absolutely essential to get to where we need to get to in terms of our own energy independence. We are living through a climate emergency. I know we share that view. The question the Deputy raised is about how we do it and how we try to bring...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: It is important to be fair, as the Deputy generally is. The Minister for housing, I believe, received this report on 8 May. That is 13 days ago, so let us not say that people have been sitting on reports for weeks. That is not fair.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: It was 8 May, which I think was 13 days ago. Deputy Bacik's party has been in government. When one gets a report of over 400 pages, 83 recommendations and over 500 actions and subactions, one generally likes to consider them, work with one's team and develop responses. I do not think that 13 days is a long period of time to elapse. This is what a responsible Minister would do. We will...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: We should not misrepresent what the Housing Commission was asked to do. The Housing Commission was asked to come up with recommendations about how to move forward with housing. That is what we asked it to do. We asked it to come up with recommendations. It has done the work and we thank it for that. We now consider the recommendations. The first thing we should do is publish the report....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I am very pleased that we have an opportunity today to discuss one of the largest and biggest social issues we face in this country, which is the housing challenge and making sure everyone in Ireland can have a roof over their heads, the young generation can aspire to own their own homes and parents can see their adult children move out of the box rooms in their homes and into homes with the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Then, take actions. That is a good idea too, Deputy Collins. Does the Deputy know what the Government will do this week? It will publish the report. What the Opposition might do is read the report. Then, we might come into this Chamber and debate the report to see how we can actually make more progress. This Government is making progress when it comes to housing supply and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: We are standing here today in a vastly different place when it comes to housing supply from where we were only months ago, and in a very different world when it comes to housing supply from where we were years ago when my party first came to Government, which Deputy McDonald referenced.

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cabinet Committees (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services which oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy and public services was re-established when new Cabinet Committees were put in place following the appointment of the new Government in April. The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services last met on 20 November and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Climate Action Plan (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: The Department of the Taoiseach prepares progress reports on the delivery of measures committed to under the Climate Action Plan. These progress reports provide a detailed breakdown of completed and delayed actions and are published online, once considered by Government. The final progress report for the 2023 Climate Action Plan (CAP23) was published on the 5th of March this year. It...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: As the House will be aware, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the situation in the Middle East is of great international concern. Since my election as Taoiseach, I have had many discussions on the situation with my international counterparts. The issue was discussed at the special meeting of the European Council in April, when Leaders committed to working with partners to end the conflict in...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Priorities (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Over the last three and a half years, the Government has significantly advanced our Shared Island initiative and continues to progress this important dimension of the Programme for Government, working with all communities and political traditions for a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. On 20 February, the Government announced over €800m in funding for Shared...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together. I met the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels on 11 April. Ireland’s membership of the European Union is of great importance to our national prosperity, well-being, and indeed, to our sense of identity and I undertook an early visit to Brussels as a signal of my commitment to continuing our...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I join with Deputy Ó Murchú in extending my sympathies to the family of Pat from Dundalk and I associate myself with the Deputy's remarks. I also welcome the Deputy's commitment to the Narrow Water Bridge, which President von der Leyen and I did not discuss directly. Having said that, I know the importance of the bridge to this country, to the Deputy's region and the constituency...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank colleagues for their contributions. I join Deputy Haughey and others in very much welcoming the overwhelming vote at the UN General Assembly on ensuring that Palestine can and should be a member of the United Nations. I also take this opportunity to commend our own diplomats at the United Nations led by our ambassador, Fergal Mythen, on the incredible work they do in speaking up for...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 14, inclusive, together. I spoke by phone with Prime Minister Sánchez, most recently on Monday, 6 May, when we again discussed the situation in the Middle East, especially in Gaza, concerns about Rafah, and plans to recognise the state of Palestine. In particular, we shared a deep concern about the potential impacts of an Israeli military...

Ceisteanna - Questions: European Council (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank colleagues for the range of questions. First, when it comes to Palestine, I very clearly outlined at the European Council this country's intention to recognise the state of Palestine. I believe we should do it this month, and that is what I am working towards with colleagues in Government, the three parties in Government and also with European counterparts, including the Prime...