Results 42,421-42,440 of 46,353 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (24 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: Agriculture House is a State Owned office building and as such the occupancy of it is a matter for the Commissioners of Public Works.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Drainage Schemes Status (24 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has submitted the proposals for the Clare River (Claregalway) flood relief scheme for statutory approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts. A report commissioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) on a required independent evaluation of the Environmental Impact Statement...

European Council Meeting: Statements (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to have an opportunity to wrap up today's important debate regarding the forthcoming European Council meeting. My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Dara Murphy, would usually give this statement, but he is in Luxembourg today at the General Affairs Council, where the key focus is on preparations for the European Council. I am...

European Council Meeting: Statements (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: -----the agenda for the European Council this week is particularly full. As preparations are ongoing, it is not clear yet how exactly the Heads of State and Government will divide their time among the many pressing issues. However, I am confident that the conclusions adopted will give the necessary impetus for further essential work to be advanced on both the external and the internal...

European Council Meeting: Statements (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The previous Government threw away our sovereignty.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: St. Enda’s and the Pearse Museum are of significance to the history of the modern Irish Republic. In recognition of Patrick Pearse’s involvement in events leading up to the Rising, a number of capital works are being undertaken at the site to be completed for the centenary commemorations of the 1916 rising. Over the past 5 years a programme of tree maintenance and replanting...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Durrow Abbey site is an important National Monument which is owned by the State and is in the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW). A significant conservation project was undertaken there in recent years, including relocating the vulnerable High Cross on the site into the Church and undertaking visitor presentation works. The site is therefore in good order currently from a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: My Department currently has no grant scheme for minor flood defence products. Consideration, as appropriate, of such a scheme is part of the Whole of Government's approach to implementing Flood Management Plans that are being developed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the CFRAM (Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management) Programme. These Flood Risk Management Plans are due...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Douglas Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by Cork County Council as the Contracting Authority for the project as part of an overall scheme for Douglas and Togher, with funding being provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW). It is expected that the Scheme will be brought though Planning in the third quarter of this year. Subject to the proposed scheme being accepted, the detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (23 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: As previously advised, the Commissioners of Public Works are in the process of assigning the former Garda Station at Castletownshend, Co. Cork for use by Castletownshend Community Association for community and voluntary activities. The Chief State Solicitors Office (CSSO) who are preparing the licence which sets out the terms and conditions that are applicable to the use of a State...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Accommodation Provision (18 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Darragh O'Brien for welcoming me to the Seanad. I take the point he makes. I am taking the matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, who regrets he cannot be here today as he is on Government business. He has, therefore, asked me to deliver his response to the Senator's Commencement matter. He thanks the Senator for raising the issue today.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Hospital Accommodation Provision (18 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Minister has asked me to reassure the House that there has been no reduction in the number of patient beds in Beaumont Hospital, a point the Senator made himself. While 140 beds spread across four surgical wards had historically been intended for surgical patients, in reality a significant number of these beds have been consistently occupied by medical patients, many of whom are frail...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Jury Service (18 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: On behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, I thank Senator Colm Burke for raising this matter. The Minister regrets she is unable to be present for this discussion. Jurors are an essential part of the administration of justice in our country. As provided for in the Constitution, a key principle of a fair judicial system is the right to trial by jury.The...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Jury Service (18 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: I will have to ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to revert to Senator Burke but I am happy to do so. The Bill is listed in the Government's current legislative programme and will be brought forward in due course. I want to reassure Senator Burke and the Seanad that the issues he has raised are being fully considered in the context of the development of the Bill.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ferry Services Provision (18 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 resolved before any competition can be held and these are being considered currently.If the relevant legal matters can be satisfactorily...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (18 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The following table shows the income received by the State under licences granted to mobile phone operators for masts located on State owned property from 2008 to 2014. Year Income 2008 €4,406,476 2009 €2,716,921 2010 €4,597,417 2011 €3,549,348 2012 €3,566,991 2013 €5,417,132 2014 €4,422,756

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Insurance Cover (18 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Memorandum of Understanding between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Insurance Ireland, which was signed on 24th March 2014, outlines the principles of agreement between the parties on the provision of information to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding. The OPW is committed to providing...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Expenditure (18 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The OPW has expended approximately €275 million on flood relief activities between 2008 and the end of 2014 with €224.4 million being spent on flood defence works and €43 million approximately on the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, hydrometric data collection & processing, research on flood risk related issues and other flood...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (17 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: The Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 in relation to repair of public infrastructure damaged in the Winter 2013/2014 storms allocated funding of up to €1,226,920 to Kerry County Council (KCC) for repair of coastal protection and flood defences based on a submission made by the Council to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. KCC's submission included...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (16 Jun 2015)

Simon Harris: As indicated in my replies of 26 February 2015 and 28 April 2015, good progress is being made by engineering consultants undertaking regional studies on behalf of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Programme involves an assessment of 300 mainly urban locations nationwide through mapping significant flood risk areas...