Results 2,641-2,660 of 46,081 for speaker:Simon Harris

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Smith. I look forward to a full debate on the report of the Housing Commission. I appreciate the practical point the Deputy makes about things that could be done quickly. As he says, social housing support income levels and income levels for other schemes have been increased. We need to be alert to any kind of poverty traps where people trying to work find themselves...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy knows, we have taken two measures already, namely, the higher stamp duty rate and the planning changes brought in by the Ministers, Deputies McGrath and O'Brien, respectively. We are continuing to keep this under review. That is what we voted on in January. I said we would continue to examine it. My party also put it in our manifesto yesterday for the local elections....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have no knowledge in relation to that but we are acting as a Government. We are taking practical actions on a constant basis to support humanitarian aid, to try to bring about a ceasefire and peace, to recognise the State of Palestine, to work at a European level in relation to the association agreement and to recognise that the best way for peace for Israel and Palestine is a two-state...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Berry for raising this issue. I will raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and ask him to revert directly to the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I get a chance to speak too, if that is okay. I do not think he supports reference rents, incentives for landlords or any private investment fund.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: There are 83 recommendations. The Minister has published our view on each one of them.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Maybe the Deputy will do the same in relation to his. We can certainly have that debate but there was a lengthy debate on Housing for All in the House as recently as last week. Unfortunately, some Deputies decided to adopt a position on the report before they read it. To respond to Deputy McGrath, I have never known someone who is against something-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Deputy Boyd Barrett, the Taoiseach is responding to Deputy McGrath.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have just answered. We are not having another a debate this week. We had one last week. We have lots on the agenda this week. If the Deputies want to schedule it for the Business Committee, they should go for it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have never known anybody to be as enthusiastic about wanting something to come back into the House to vote on, which he is so vehemently opposed to. I have never known somebody so eager to have the Government table something for adoption which he wishes to reject.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: That will come back in due course at a time of our choosing.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have never heard the former Chief Justice Frank Clarke described as "window-dressing" before. He is carrying out a major report into UHL. The fact the Government has appointed a former Chief Justice, the top former judge in the country, to look into the situation outlines the seriousness we attach to a number of concerning incidents which have happened in the hospital. We have seen...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have been briefed on the incident which took place in the north inner city this morning. I understand An Garda Síochána has made an arrest. I thank An Garda Síochána for its swift and effective response to this incident, but I am also sure that people who were in that area, particularly children who witnessed this, would be very distressed. Thankfully, nobody came to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: It is the clear position of President von der Leyen that she wishes to see an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. That is the clear position of Ursula von der Leyen, although Deputy Pringle can shake his head if he wishes. It is the clear position of the conclusions of the April European Council; I was at it and the Deputy was not there.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: The ability of Irish people to not be misinformed or misdirected on the position of the European Council, including the President of the European Commission, is important because there is enough misinformation out there at the moment. We need to see an immediate ceasefire and we need to see practical actions to help bring that about. What I have said on behalf of Ireland at the European...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of Palestine and the horrific humanitarian catastrophe that continues to unfold. I acknowledge that her welcome for the fact that this is a proud day for Ireland in recognising the State of Palestine. I also recognise that this is very much something on which the people have led. I very much hear that as I go around the country as I meet people....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I am conscious that I am sitting beside a colleague and a friend, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, who knows all too well how that life-saving service made a massive difference to her own daughter, Tara’s life. This is a service that everyone in Ireland really values. It does absolutely incredible work. We live in a country that is small in geographic size but is in someway vast in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Berry for raising this important issue. I absolutely will take that meeting. We would benefit greatly from that expertise and listening to those individuals. I am happy to do that. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of road safety as we face into another bank holiday weekend. Everyone needs to be conscious of what are called the killer behaviours that can take...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: It is not rhetoric.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I am not calling the EU out. We are part of the EU. We joined it, are members of it and are around the table. What I am doing every single day with colleagues across Government, including the Tánaiste, is working at a European level to help bring about the actions that need to happen. Europe has not covered itself in glory in relation to this humanitarian catastrophe. I am very...