Results 23,901-23,920 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: The Deputies know how this-----

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: The way this democracy works is that the Deputies opposite get to say what they think about me - God knows they hurl it across at me - and I get to say what I think about them. I think Deputy Collins is being frivolous about cancer labels. That is my view.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: I have a democratic mandate to say in this Parliament that I think the Deputy is being frivolous. The brochures cannot breach the advertising regulations set out in the legislation. I have responded to Report Stage amendments Nos. 16 and 17. I do not propose to accept them. I have fulfilled my duty to respond.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: We are getting hungry.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: To respond to Deputy Donnelly, I support the amendment.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: This is a reasonable amendment from Deputy Donnelly. It ensures that consumers in duty free shops will have access to the relevant health warnings and information, so I am satisfied this respects the intention of the labelling provision. I am happy to accept the amendment.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: -----and Members of the Oireachtas on a cross-party basis. This is legislation that those working on the front line who see the impact of alcohol want us are begging us to implement. The Bill has been in the offing for over 1,000 days, and we have a duty to get on with it. I am shocked by some of the comments I have heard. People have made statements of fact to the effect that there is...

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: A label could tell citizens about it.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: That is what this legislation is about. Some 2,823 men and 1,700 women died of alcohol-related cancers and we are saying it might be a good idea to stick a label on a bottle to let people know. The Deputy is correct to say that, on its own, this measure will not fix the problem. There must be a multi-facetted approach to address the issue and this is a part of the solution. It has...

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: I welcome the discussion that we have had on amendments Nos. 9, 11, 12 and 18, which have been discussed together. I want to try to respond to some of the points raised. That includes people calling for me to find common sense, not to go too far, or to listen to their common-sense view. It is very important as Minister of Health to listen to health experts. It is very important when...

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is factually wrong.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: We do.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: It has nothing to do with me.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: I do.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: I am resigned to the fact, 1,000 days into this, that no matter what I say I will not convince some people on the benefits of this legislation. I will continue to answer the questions respectfully but I am resigned to the fact that I will not change many minds in the Oireachtas tonight. I am also sure that there is significant public support for this legislation. I am sure that the...

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: It is that sort of condescending attitude that suggests Deputy Ó Cuív loves it more than anybody else.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: It was not a careless decision. It was a conscious-----

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: Excuse me, Deputy Ó Cuív.

Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015: Report Stage (26 Sep 2018)

Simon Harris: It is very serious because it was a conscious decision to make-----