Results 42,681-42,700 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: From the Seanad (19 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: Before we commence proceedings, I would be obliged if, in accordance with Standing Order 140, the Ceann Comhairle would direct the Clerk to make the following minor drafting corrections to the text of the Bill: first, on page 101, line 25, insert "of" after "date"; and, second, on page 110, line 11, delete "the reference to" and substitute "the reference in". These amendments are being...

Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: From the Seanad (19 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: Amendment No. 1 is a technical proofing amendment to correct an error that arose in the publication of the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (19 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I have been advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that a provisional booking for the use of the State Apartments, Dublin Castle, has already been made for the Annual Ireland-U.S. Council Dinner on Friday 26 June 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (19 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: Carlingford is an historic town with a number of fine structures including two National Monuments in State care; the historic Mint building and Carlingford Castle, known popularly as King John's Castle, named after Richard the Lionheart's brother. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has embarked on a programme of safety and access works at King John's Castle and the first phase, a pedestrian...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Monuments (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Brennan for again raising this matter, about which he is extremely passionate and on which he has very sincere views. He has convinced me to be passionate about it as well in the context of wanting the project to be brought to a conclusion. As the Senator is well aware, Carlingford is a very historic town with a number of fine structures, including two national monuments in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Monuments (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I very much look forward to that. I thank the Senator and the Carlingford Heritage Trust, and indeed the local community of Carlingford who I know hold this castle in such high regard because they, like me, see its potential benefit for Carlingford from a tourism, heritage and economic point of view. I very much look forward to visiting with the Senator, looking around the historic town of...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Zappone for raising this matter and apologise on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection who is not in a position to attend and who has asked me to deliver a response on her behalf. As the Senator will know, the eligibility rules governing the payment of a student maintenance grant are a matter for the Department of Education and Skills and are set down...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Zappone for her comments. The Tánaiste has been very consistent in her view that she wants to help people access education, training and the workplace. The changes that have been made to the back to education allowance scheme allows a customer of the Department of Social Protection who may not have informed, nor were they obliged to inform, someone they were in study,...

Seanad: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Darragh O'Brien for tabling the amendment. The Minister, Deputy Noonan, is fully in agreement on the need to provide protection for consumers and the supervision of operators providing online betting services is a first step in this direction. The Betting (Amendment) Bill puts in place a regulatory system for the remote sector, including betting intermediaries, who, up until...

Seanad: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank all Senators for the debate and discussion on this point.I am certainly not unsympathetic towards what the Senator is trying to do here. There is very little of what Senators Craughwell, O'Brien and Cummins said with which I disagree. I, too, have seen at first hand the damaging effects of gambling on many people, including people close to me. It can be devastating, and Senator...

Seanad: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (18 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I do not intend to detain the House other than to thank Senators on all sides for their support in passing this Bill. This is significant legislation in its own right. Nobody on this side of the House or in Government is claiming that the Bill is a panacea or some sort of magic wand solution to all the ills, many of which have been documented throughout this debate. There is a need for a...

Topical Issue Debate: Coastal Protection (17 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for the specifics. It is very important to get this right. There is a time for studies and a time for action, but in relation to coastal erosion, it is very important that if the taxpayer is going to pump millions of euro, or more, into funding schemes related to coastal erosion, we get it right. To its credit, Clare County Council has submitted seven applications to my...

Topical Issue Debate: Coastal Protection (17 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I echo the Acting Chairman's words of congratulations to Deputy Michael McNamara and his fiancee and wish them both the very best on their recent engagement. I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter which, in fairness to him, he has consistently raised with me since my appointment to this role eight or nine months ago. Ireland is a maritime nation and so coastal flooding and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (17 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: Church Island in Lough Currane, Waterville, Co. Kerry is a National Monument in the care of the Commissioners of Public Works. The site is in the ownership of the State and is managed by the Commissioners locally through the National Monuments Depot at Killarney. Regular conservation and maintenance work is carried out at the Church Island site by Office of Public Works staff and it is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Bodies Property (17 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: The tender process for works at Waterville Coastguard Station is nearing completion. A contract will be placed on confirmation of funding by the Irish Coastguard Service.

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Sub-Committee (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform, pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies on all sides for what has been a very constructive debate. A number of common themes have emerged. It is important to say, in the interests of honesty and bluntness, that not all the issues raised today can be resolved by a valuation Bill. This is a valuation Bill; it is not a magic wand. I acknowledged in my opening contribution that we had a really good engagement in...

Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2015: First Stage (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: No.

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: Who is the dog?

Leaders' Questions (12 Feb 2015)

Simon Harris: The Deputy's party is intimidating the gardaí in the investigation.