Results 42,541-42,560 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Architectural Heritage (15 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: The dates for the visitor season at Skellig Michael in 2015 were decided early this year and were confirmed by me in a Parliamentary Question on 15th January. The dates in question are 15 May to 30 September, weather permitting. These are virtually the same dates as in 2014 (16 May - 29 September), so there has been no curtailment of the length of the season. In previous years, there...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Drainage Schemes (2 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: The bridge in question was constructed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) as part of the Corrib-Mask-Robe Arterial Drainage Scheme under the powers given to the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland by the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. There was no requirement for any agreement to be signed by the relevant landowners, and the OPW is not aware of any signed agreement in this case. While...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (2 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: As indicated in my reply to the Deputy's Question on 18thSeptember 2014, a Feasibility Study to examine the options to address the flooding problem at the location referred to is being undertaken by the Office of Public Works. The OPW is continuing to collect flow data for input to the Study. It has also carried out a hydrological assessment of the catchment and is building a computational...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Staff (2 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that it has not determined that there is a requirement for General Operatives at its National Monuments Depot in Killarney at this time. Three apprentices (in stonemasonry and carpentry) have been assigned to the Depot in recent months.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (2 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: The local Office of Public Works foreman will be meeting the named person today (2 April 2015) to inspect the damage and discuss the matter. Works at this location are included in the OPW's maintenance work programme for the current year, and OPW intends to deal with this matter as soon as the weather and resources allow. The location is near the upper reaches of an OPW channel and it is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Applications (1 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: In February 2015, Wicklow County Council (WCC) submitted an application for funding under the Office of Public Works (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for coastal protection works to alleviate coastal flooding at South Beach, Arklow that affects a factory and a commercial office premises. Following discussions between the OPW and WCC officials, the Council...

Residential Mortgage Interest Rates: Motion [Private Members] (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following: “acknowledges that: — the Statement of Government Priorities 2014 to 2016 recognised that promoting and encouraging competition and new entrants in the banking sector was required to put downward pressure on interest rates for variable rate mortgage customers,...

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 11:In page 33, after line 29, to insert the following:“(4) Subsection (3) is in addition to the provision made by section 14with respect to the commencement of the amendment to which that section relates.”.

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: I approached this with an open mind, as Deputy Fleming and his colleagues in the Seanad will acknowledge, given the extensive discussions we have had on the issue of child care during the passage of the legislation. I will respond on the amendment relating to child care in more detail but many of the points I will make are also relevant to buildings used for care of the sick and care of the...

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: I think so.

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: I have yet to meet the Sir Humphrey to whom the Deputy continually refers. His Fianna Fáil colleagues must have taken him with them when they left office. What I have been trying to do in this legislation is to fix a number of anomalies from the previous valuations Bill, including the fact that sports clubs were being penalised well beyond their commercial activity, and trying to...

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: We have discussed at length the issues to which the amendment refers. Given that the overriding principle of rates is the occupation of the physical structure being valued, not the economic buoyancy or otherwise of the business carried out in it, I cannot accept the Deputy's amendment. However, I am pleased he has raised the issue of wind energy, given that on Committee Stage I made a...

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: I move Amendment No. 7:In page 28, line 32, to delete “subparagraph (b)” and substitute “clause (b) of subparagraph (2)”.This is a technical amendment. Section 37 of the Bill amends Schedule 2. The wording in the Bill to be changed by the amendment was referring to subparagraph (b). There is more than one subparagraph (b) in paragraph 13 and the amendment makes...

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: The arguments on Irish Water have been well-rehearsed in this House, the other House and in public. If the intention of Deputy Fleming's amendment is to make Irish Water rateable, I am advised that it would not succeed in doing so, even if passed. Schedule 3 sets out classes of property that are regarded as relevant property for the purposes of valuation. Schedule 3 describes property in...

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: I indicated on Committee Stage of this legislation that I was favourably disposed to what Deputy Fleming is trying to achieve with these amendments, which is to have revision cases concluded within six months of receipt. I undertook on Committee Stage to propose an amendment on Report Stage that will achieve what the Deputy intends. As the Deputy pointed out, there is a weakness in the...

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: I move amendment No. 4:4. In page 16, between lines 27 and 28, to insert the following:“Supplemental provision in relation to section 13 – time within which decision on revision must be made 14. On and from such day as the Minister appoints by order under this section, the following amendment shall have effect in relation to the section inserted in the Principal Act by section...

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: This amendment is at odds with the intention of section 15 which provides discretionary powers to the commissioner in exceptional circumstances in the interests of fair, equitable and uniform valuation lists. The first proposed amendment would result in limiting the discretion by limiting the period within which the function could be exercised. This could inadvertently be very unfavourable...

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Fleming. We had extensive engagement on many of these issues on Committee Stage and I look forward to further discussion now. I am afraid I am not in a position to accept this amendment. The material change of circumstance provisions have been criticised as being too restrictive and I agree with Deputy Fleming that there are limited circumstances where a material change of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Tourism Funding (31 Mar 2015)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 295 together. The Office of Public Works is responsible for six Visitor sites in Co. Cork.The expenditure associated with each of these sites in 2013 and 2014 is as follows: Site Year Conservation Works and Maintenance (incl staff costs) € Utilities and running costs € Guide costs € Total Barryscourt Castle 2014: 2013: 117,850...