Results 42,361-42,380 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Government should have some responsibility for it. I despair. I live in the inner city and have lived there for 40 years and I have literally spent millions of my own money restoring a house. We have utterly decrepit pavements. I invite the Minister of State to come and have a look at the pavement on, for example, Parnell Street, where one is taking one's life in one's hands. The...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I have had much respect for Senator Norris over the years and I am sure he does not mean to refer to any member of the public service as a little squirt. Members of the public service, as they go about their duties, enable the Senator to carry out his duties and have done the State significant service during the years of economic difficulty and during the times when they have been paid less...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Senator is paid a fine wage as I am.

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I do not think the Senator should refer to people as little squirts. The Senator has mentioned that he was able to spend millions on doing up his home. There are not many people working in the Civil Service who would be in a position to do that.

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I would hope the Senator would reflect on that.

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: We are responding to a piece of legislation which seeks to revoke an instrument of 1755. The Senator's amendment seeks to remove an instrument of 1755 from the Schedule of revoked instruments. The instrument concerned is an order of 1755 for the surveying of pavements in the City of Dublin. It requires all church wardens and the directors of the watch in their respective parishes...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: It has.

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: In an effort to be helpful it referred to the current season on 1755, hence my proposal that it is spent and the reason I am not in a position to accept the amendment.

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: In regard to the amendment put forward by Senator Norris, it seeks to remove an instrument of 1779 from the schedule of revoked instruments. The proclamation of 1779, which this refers to, was issued in response to representations made to the then Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland that forged letters had been sent, stating contrary to the truth that hostile attempts had been made by...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I assure the Senator that this is not what we are doing. The Senator's amendment seeks to remove an instrument of 1215 from the schedule of revoked instruments. The instrument was designed to publish the Magna Carta. Unfortunately, no text has been located during the research for this Bill for the proclamation of 1215. In the interest of transparency, we have adopted the clear policy that...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I recognise that.

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank the Seanad for its consideration of these amendments and Senator David Norris for tabling them. I share his view that it is worth stress-testing legislation, which is what we have done. There was a constructive debate in this and the other House on the matter. I share strongly the view of many that this process will leave the Statute Book more accessible, clear and relevant. It is...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I will provide the Senator with some detail of those issues on Report Stage, but the short answer is that the Statute Book is available electronically and through the National Library of Ireland. One cannot go into a shop and buy a consolidated version of it. As the Senator rightly suggested, it is a very large document. Many citizens, like all of us perhaps, look at the law book when it...

Seanad: Statute Law Revision Bill 2015: Committee Stage (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: There is an app.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (10 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The National Monuments Service of the OPW is responsible for the general maintenance of the 76 National Monuments in State care in Kerry. Within the course of the normal year, works will occur at a broad range of these sites as it is determined necessary following inspection and assessment. This involves attending to seasonal issues such as grasscutting, weed spraying and bramble removal,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Insurance Cover (9 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The flood referred to by the Deputy was caused by an extreme rain event. The gauge at the nearby Broadmeadow station on the Broadmeadow channel recorded the third highest flow in 37 years during this event causing flooding from channels and storm water systems. Storm drains, storm water systems and planning permission are the responsibility of the Local Authority. Meath County...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (9 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 380 together. I am advised that the Commissioners of Public Works assessed a total of six properties based on the brief of requirements from the Department of Social Protection. None were found to be suitable from a cost and operational perspective. While the Commissioners of Public Works have sole discretion as to which building is chosen, it is a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Boat Permits (9 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works is aware that there is some capacity currently within the permitted boat operators at Skellig Michael and it is, in response, preparing a competition process to issue new Boat Permits. There are a number of legal issues to be assessed before any competition is held and these are being considered currently. If the relevant legal matters can be satisfactorily...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (9 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently undertaking, in partnership with its consultants, local authorities and other stakeholders, the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. This is a strategic approach that recognises the need, in line with international best practice, to move to a more sustainable, planned and risk-based approach to dealing with flooding...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (9 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy's Question of 18 May 2015 on this matter the refurbishment of this stretch of flood defence of approx 1 kilometre in length at Garrane, Killorglin, Co. Kerry is included in the Office of Public Works (OPW) 2015 programme of works. The proposal is to strengthen the defence in this location to defend against the extreme events experienced last year and...