Results 381-400 of 45,480 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: In this moment of agreement, let me add two things. Membership of the European Union for Ukraine is a positive, constructive role Ireland can play. We are a supporter of Ukraine's journey to EU membership and we need to continue to be because that, in and of itself, is a security guarantee to ensure Ukraine can have a future within the European Union. Second, peace and solidarity costs...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire. I assure him there is no change in the Government’s position on engaging with the US or anywhere else. I have spoken to the Taoiseach about the conversations and understand that he reiterated the programme for Government commitment to introducing legislation in this area. I agree with the Deputy that international law does matter and that is why...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy suggested, I am happy to tease through and debate those issues when we publish and introduce legislation. I do want to engage with Senator Black. I have been in contact with her directly in recent days and look forward to meeting her on the issue next Tuesday. Of course, I would much rather be in a position in which we could in this House say the ceasefire is holding, the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Smith and his party for the constructive suggestion on engagement across parties in this House. Let me assure him at the outset regarding what is likely to be a very turbulent time. While there is no doubt that there will be moments of agreement, disagreement, suggestions and whatever else, we should continue to have a good flow of information across the Oireachtas. I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The most important thing we can all do in Ireland and the EU, and indeed around the world, is to stay calm and measured. Often after a headline announcement by the US Administration, you have to work through the detail. Given that the misinformation has started, we need to make the point very clearly that Europe does not want tariffs but talks. We want representatives of the European Union...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Those are very fair questions. Obviously, we will hear the announcement tomorrow. We will all have to assess it and respond in a calm and measured way. I will be continuing calls with EU counterparts tomorrow. I have spoken to my counterparts in Finland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Slovakia and Croatia in very recent days, including today, and I will have a call with the EU trade...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire and I join him in extending the sympathies of everyone in this House and everyone in this country to the people of Myanmar and Thailand after the horrific earthquake and the devastation it has caused. My Department has moved swiftly on behalf of the Irish people to provide €6 million in emergency assistance as part of the international effort. Of...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I want to put on the record of this House that it was also in good faith that we engaged constructively and respectfully in government formation talks with both the Labour Party and the Social Democrats, and I thank them for that engagement. I do not believe there are policy differences which we were not prepared to negotiate on, but obviously I respect the decisions of both these parties to...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: We must work together-----

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Before the Deputies shout at me, maybe they should wait to hear my next sentence, because I was about to say that I think and hope many in the Opposition share this view, that we should work together on the big issues of our time. We should work together on housing and on disability services.

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: That is what the public want to see. Shout me down if you wish, but that is what the public want.

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: You are.

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: It is time to listen to listen to each other. It is time to work in the best interests of the people who send us here and pay your wages and mine.

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: To meet the goals that we share, we must have a strong - it is not sounding great for cross-party co-operation, but anyway - and stable economy. We stand here this afternoon on the precipice of a moment of extraordinary economic turbulence globally. We had a report last week from the ESRI, which estimated more than 80,000 jobs in the Irish economy could be at risk. There are people who...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: -----but debating a confidence motion. Do not shout me down, again. Stop now.

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: We are debating a confidence motion, one which everybody inside and outside this House knows will only have one outcome.

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: We know Sinn Féin has a record of putting party interests before national interest. I am sorry to see other Opposition parties going down that same populist route.

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: At a time of crisis, this national parliament has a duty to show leadership to the country. I recall the unity we have found in this House in moments of crisis and economic challenge. We came together and pulled together during Covid-19 and the Brexit times. The context we now face is a potential global trade war, which will not be without consequence for Ireland. I have every confidence...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: -----and we need to push in one direction. I want to work with everybody on all sides of this House. There is no monopoly on good ideas. We need constructive ideas and proposals. I firmly believe that every politician who puts his or her name on a ballot paper and got elected to this House deserves to have his or her voice heard. Deciding to enter public life is not easy; it means...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Calm down, again.