Results 42,341-42,360 of 46,353 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Lottery Funding Disbursement (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: The Senator can take it that the Minister, Deputy Howlin, accepted Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's amendment in the Dáil because he wanted the Government of the day to have the flexibility to provide some of this funding to areas related to the natural environment, as long as that is possible when the Government is looking at the pot of money that is available. I have had an engagement on...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Second Stage (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I am happy to be here to deputise for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, in addressing the Seanad on the subject of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014. The Bill before us is as passed in Dáil Éireann on 9 July last. The main purpose of the Bill is to change the method of appointing the chief...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Second Stage (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank all the Senators who participated on Second Stage of the Bill. The points made in the course of the debate were put forward in a manner that was meant to be constructive and reasonable. There is no doubt there is quite a level of interest in the Bill because of the importance of these roles in ensuring the smooth and effective administration of business in both Houses of the...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Second Stage (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: -----as well as his intention to pursue the matter on Committee Stage. There is no point in suggesting that the current system is some sort of a panacea. Under the current legislative arrangements, as I said, the Clerk of the Dáil is appointed by the Taoiseach on the recommendation of the Ceann Comhairle, following consultation by the latter with the Oireachtas Commission. Many of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is currently being undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with its consultants, local authorities and other stakeholders, in line with national flood policy and the EU Directive (2007/EC/60). The six studies in the current Programme are assessing flood risk in 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs)...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Offices (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: This reply relates to leases held by the Commissioners of Public Works who haveachieved savings in annual rent every year since 2008 through a targeted lease rationalisation programme, reducing both the annual rental bill and the property footprint along with targeted rent review negotiations. Overall, the cumulative value of savings delivered under the lease rationalisation and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (14 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: As indicated to the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question No 166 of 7thJuly, the Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme is expected to be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform shortly for Confirmation i.e. statutory approval under the Arterial Drainage Acts, once the necessary documentation has been finalised by Cork County Council's consultants. The Confirmation process...

Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: From the Seanad (9 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: This is a drafting amendment to include the words "Commission regarding" before the words "Bank of Ireland" so as to identify the type of instrument in the subject matter in the interests of consistency, as is done with the other instruments in the Bill. It is a technical amendment for clarity purposes.

Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: From the Seanad (9 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: They are.

Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: From the Seanad (9 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: Yes. I am satisfied that is it.

Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: From the Seanad (9 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: This is also a drafting amendment to rectify a typographical error in the subject matter of a proclamation of 1768 which incorrectly refers to Northern Ireland rather than Northumberland. Again, it is technical in nature.

Leaders' Questions (9 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: And the blind.

Leaders' Questions (9 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: Fianna Fáil put them into poverty.

Leaders' Questions (9 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: They are pretending not to remember.

Leaders' Questions (9 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: He is Mother Teresa now.

Leaders' Questions (9 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: That would be a new departure.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Lease Agreements (9 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: This property was originally taken under lease by the Commissioners of Public Works in 1967 for a term of 75 years. The building was disposed of in 2004 and the Commissioners of Public Works no longer have an interest in the property.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Lease Agreements (9 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: Agriculture House is not held on a leasehold basis. It is a State-owned building and was purchased by the Commissioners of Public Works in 1986. There are no rental payments in respect of the property since that date.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (8 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: Matters concerning river bank erosion do not fall within the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW). The area in question is not within an Arterial Drainage Scheme maintainable by OPW. Responsibility for the maintenance of the river banks would rest with the land owners concerned. It is open to Limerick City and County Council to investigate the river bank erosion issue. If a risk of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (8 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme in Bray County Wicklow is being undertaken by Wicklow County Council (WCC) as the Contracting Authority with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW). Management of the scheme, including the agreement of a Works Programme with the various contractors, rests with WCC. In general terms WCC advise that good progress is being...