Results 41,641-41,660 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2016)

Simon Harris: Is the Deputy talking about US hospitals?

Seanad: Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Statements (2 Feb 2016)

Simon Harris: I will be brief because I am eager to hear the views of Senators. I welcome this opportunity come before the Seanad to discuss the report of the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis which was published last week. It is important to acknowledge the tremendous effort on the part of the committee. The significance of this undertaking cannot be underestimated. The hard work and...

Seanad: Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Statements (2 Feb 2016)

Simon Harris: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for a very interesting debate. I do not intend to respond to all of the political charges. Many of them are so outlandish----

Seanad: Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Statements (2 Feb 2016)

Simon Harris: I would not have time. I will make one or two very brief points just to please Senator Mooney.

Seanad: Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Statements (2 Feb 2016)

Simon Harris: When one reads the report, as I am sure Deputy Mooney has, one sees that it finds there was a nexus between a banking crisis and a fiscal crisis. While we can blame international factors for a banking crisis, neither Lehman's nor the ECB caused the fiscal crisis. Some in the Senator's own party have been good enough to apologise for the role it played. While Senator Craughwell points out...

Seanad: Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Statements (2 Feb 2016)

Simon Harris: On the narrowing of the tax base, it might be old fashioned of me as the youngest Member of the Dáil to suggest that people should really wait and read plans before deciding what is in them. When people see my party's plans and I am sure those of the Labour Party in terms of our long-term economic vision for this country, they will feel that they are very prudent.

Seanad: Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Statements (2 Feb 2016)

Simon Harris: We, in Fine Gael, are not proposing to narrow the tax base. We make no apology for taking some of the lowest paid workers out of the hated temporary USC that Fianna Fáil brought in after it crashed the economy, but we are certainly not proposing to narrow the tax base. Senators will see that in our own plans.

Seanad: Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Statements (2 Feb 2016)

Simon Harris: The USC was introduced by the late Brian Lenihan as an emergency and temporary measure. I believe Fianna Fáil is also proposing abolishing it to some degree but I am waiting to see the full proposal. We need to very careful going into this election and I mean this sincerely. Regarding tax versus spend and the idea that it is a choice between taxing or spending, that is not the case if...

Seanad: Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Statements (2 Feb 2016)

Simon Harris: We are policy makers, legislators and public representatives and we have a duty of care in respect of all three of those strands. I want to comment on a few of the changes that have taken place in response to this report. I make these points while also saying that one can never be complacent or say that enough is done. In respect of the Department of Finance, significant work has been...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (2 Feb 2016)

Simon Harris: It is a matter for Kerry County Council (KCC) in the first instance to investigate and address issues of coastal protection and flooding at the location indicated. KCC was allocated €1.227m by the Government in February 2014 to carry out repair works to coastal protection infrastructure damaged in the severe storms which affected the country in late 2013 and early 2014. A further...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Insurance Cover (2 Feb 2016)

Simon Harris: While I am advised that Office of Public Works (OPW) is not aware of remedial works referred to by the Deputy in Glouthuane, Co. Cork, any person with an insurance-related query or complaint can contact Insurance Ireland's Insurance Information Service (01 676 1914 or iis@insuranceireland.eu). In addition, the Financial Services Ombudsman deals independently with unresolved complaints from...

Order of Business (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: What Part of the Bill does it come under?

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The embankments at Incherea are old Land Commission embankments and the Office of Public Works (OPW) is not responsible for the upkeep of these embankments. It is a matter for Kerry County Council (KCC) in the first instance to investigate and address issues of coastal protection and flooding at the location indicated. It is open to KCC to undertake any required remedial works using its own...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The policy of the Office of Public Works (OPW) with regard to non-operational (vacant) Garda stations is to: 1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternate State use by both Government departments and the wider public sector. 2. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market if and when...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: As you may be aware, the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by Clare County Council (CCC) as the contracting authority under its powers, and with funding and advice as appropriate from the Office of Public Works (OPW). CCC and the OPW are working together to ensure that all possible options are examined to ensure maximum protection for properties along with maximum value...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (28 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: A meeting is scheduled for, today, Thursday 28 January, between Office of Public Works (OPW) West Region engineering staff and the Director of Services and engineering staff of Mayo County Council to discuss flooding issues across Mayo generally, including the locations referred to by the Deputy. Investigation of flooding, in the first instance, is a matter for each local authority to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 to 57, inclusive, together. I am very aware of the issues at the Murrough in Wicklow and I have been in regular contact with the local community and Wicklow County Council in this regard. The primary objective of policy on coastal protection is to ensure that in areas identified by local authorities as being at greatest risk of damage or loss to economic...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility for maintenance of the location referred to by the Deputy as part of the River Feale Catchment Drainage scheme. The OPW will be carrying out the necessary maintenance works at this location during this year as part of its rolling annual arterial maintenance programme.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (27 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The location referred to by the Deputy does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act. The OPW therefore has no responsibility for the maintenance of the channel, nor any authority to carry out any works there. Investigation of flooding, in the first instance, is a matter for each...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (26 Jan 2016)

Simon Harris: The former Garda Station in Ballymore Eustace is one of a number of Garda Stations that were closed on foot of a review of Garda operations. The Commissioners of Public Works interest in the property will be surrendered in due course.