Results 21-40 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I am not sure if the Deputy is proposing pouches for Dáil. It might slow down the dissemination of information from parliamentary party meetings to the fourth estate, which I am sure would significantly inconvenience some people.

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The serious point the Deputy makes is entirely right. It is perfectly right that Deputy Feighan has a right to ask a question, Deputy Coppinger. That is how we work in this democracy. Our lads are elected too and they can ask questions in the Dáil. I thank Deputy Feighan for bringing up such an important issue that is on the minds of all parents around the country, the mental health...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The only part of this island where phone pouches have been rolled out by a government is in Northern Ireland and where the First Minister is a member of Sinn Féin. I challenge the Deputy to talk to parents, principals and teachers in Donegal because they have been asking for support in relation phone use. If the Deputy does not recognise the challenges posed by social media and...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes, it is very serious.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: What we will do is bring forward a budget with proposals to help people with the cost of living.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Let me be clear: domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is still an epidemic globally, including in Ireland. We are not immune to it. That is not to say that the work that has been undertaken has not brought about real assistance. I refer to the expansion of refuge places, the establishment of Cuan, record funding for groups working with people in this area and training now being in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: There was quite a lot in that, so let me endeavour to get through it. To start where the Deputy finished as regards the issue of accountability and the safety and well-being of people in our nursing homes, I reiterate that it is the intention of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, along with the Minister of State, Kieran O'Donnell, to bring forward adult safeguarding policy...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I am very conscious of not wanting to say anything that cuts across any legal process or court process. I know the Deputy is as well. I will therefore refrain from going any further on that issue other than to reiterate that the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, who is here with us, is committed, as is the programme for Government, to reviewing the dental legislation more broadly for the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I agree with Deputy Sherlock's earlier point that there are many good nursing homes in this country. There are many good public nursing homes and many good private nursing homes, big and small, throughout the country. I do not have an ideological view in that regard. I just want older people to have a choice in their care, I want their families to be supported in making those decisions and...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Coppinger. First, I do not think that is a fair portrayal of the Government's record, Fine Gael's record or the Government's position regarding this issue. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, is sitting beside me and I challenge the Deputy to name any Minister who has done more-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: -----regarding domestic, sexual and gender-based violence than she has. She worked on a cross-party basis at every opportunity to make progress. The Deputy does not need to take my word for that; victims' groups and survivors' groups acknowledge that. I saw it with my own two eyes as well. Not every issue has to be partisan, or Government-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: This is a very sensitive issue. I am just making the point that every time Deputy Coppinger stands up it does not have to be a case of the Government being a terrible bunch of people and that she is great. Sometimes, perhaps there are just some issues that are so important that we should actually work together to try to make progress on them. The reason we are delaying the Deputy's...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government produced a series of measures this week that will extend for the very first time rent pressure zones to the constituency Deputy Doherty represents in Dáil Éireann. Do you not welcome that?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Hang on a second. In Donegal today there is no rent pressure zone. In the proposals brought forward by the Minister, Deputy Browne, the rent pressure zones will be extended to Deputy Doherty's constituency and we will bring forward legislation next week to do this. Deputy Doherty did not reference the changes in relation to no-fault evictions. He did not recognise the fact that rent...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I will answer it and I will not be shouted down, thank you.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The only split and confusion that seems to be taking place in housing policy is in Sinn Féin. Mary Lou McDonald, Deputy Doherty's leader-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Hang on a second.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I am answering the question, thank you.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Mary Lou McDonald said she is in favour of rent pressure zones.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Eoin Ó Broin said he is not and that he is in favour of reference rent. Reference rent would see people's rents being pushed up.