Results 42,661-42,680 of 46,397 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: We do not differ on this. I have given the Senator the assurance I received from the Valuation Office. I do not believe we have watered down the provision but have arrived at an effective measure which will make an improvement for these sports clubs. If the Senator sees any evidence to the contrary, it is an issue which I would happy to explore with him. However, I do not expect that he will.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: The wind farm issue is one on which we had a lengthy discussion in the other House. It was interesting that no Member in the other House proposed any amendment. That is a recognition of the fact that it is more complex than it looks.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (16 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: The wind energy sector is not seeking a complete exemption from rates but it has proposed amendments, which have not reached the floor of either House, to reduce its rates liability. The Limerick revaluation, like all revaluations, redistributes the rates burden based on contemporary property values. A revaluation can cause significant shifts in rates liability between different sectors,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (16 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: The identification and carrying out of necessary coastal protection works is a matter for each Local Authority. Local Authorities may carry out such works using their own resources. They may also apply to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for funding under the latter's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (16 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: The former Garda Station at Easkey, Co. Sligo has been identified for disposal and the necessary legal documentation has been submitted to the Chief State Solicitor's Office who are preparing a Contract for Sale. The property will be sold by public auction during the second half of 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (15 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: The outline design of the Flood Relief Scheme for Cork City and Blackpool is currently being finalised, with formal Public Exhibition of the proposals planned to take place in the third quarter of this year. Subject to a successful Exhibition, and statutory approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform following an independent review of the Scheme's Environmental Impact...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (15 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the closing of a section of drain has not affected the summer drainage of lands belonging to the landowner mentioned in this question, as these lands were not included as benefitting land in the Corrib Mask Drainage Scheme and a visit by an OPW engineer confirmed this fact. In this particular case the only drainage outfall is a swallow...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Scéim Oibreacha agus Cosanta Cósta (15 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: I gCinneadh Rialtais dar dáta 11ú Feabhra 2014, leithdháileadh maoiniú suas chuig €19.6m in iomlán um dheisiú ar chosaint phoiblí an chósta agus ar infreastruchtúr cosanta i gcoinne tuilte, a bhí ar fáil cheana agus a ndearnadh díobháil dóibh le linn na droch-aimsire i ndeireadh 2013 agus i dtús 2014; bhí...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Station Closures (15 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: The former Garda Station at Easkey, Co. Sligo has been identified for disposal and the necessary legal documentation has been submitted to the Chief State Solicitor's Office who are preparing a Contract for Sale. The property will be sold by public auction during the second half of 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (15 Apr 2015)

Simon Harris: Responsibility for identifying and implementing appropriate measures to address flood risk at Bellurgan, County Louth rests with Louth County Council (LCC) in the first instance and it is open to LCC to utilise its own resources to undertake any works required on the Bellurgan embankment. LCC, with the support of funding provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW), engaged consultants in...

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.