Results 42,941-42,960 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Topical Issue Debate: Flood Relief Schemes Status (2 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Michael McCarthy for giving me the opportunity to provide an update to the House by raising this important matter for the people of Skibbereen this evening. I assure him that his request that I give the matter my personal attention is one to which I am happy to accede. I had an opportunity last Thursday to address the Seanad about flooding and to outline the following. In...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (2 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: Responsibility for progressing with a project to install additional flood defences in Passage East rests with Waterford County Council in the first instance. The Office of Public Works (OPW) approved funding of €15,000 to the Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme in 2012 for a study of the flooding problem at Passage East. The Council fully drew...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (2 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: The Commissioners of Public Works have no plans to refurbish the Casino at Marino. Remedial and repair works will continue to be undertaken as and when required.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (2 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: While Castleisland is within the River Maine catchment which is maintained as part of the Office of Public Works (OPW) arterial drainage responsibilities in this area the public road bridge at Barrack Street, Castleisland is the responsibility of the Local Authority and the sewer pipe mentioned is the responsibility of Irish Water.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (2 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: Officials of the Office of Public Works will be happy to meet with this individual at a mutually convenient time. In order to assist with preparation for a meeting, and anticipating that it may call for input from parties from other Agencies, it would be helpful if this person could indicate in advance the subject areas he wishes to discuss. This can be addressed to frank.shalvey@opw.ie....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Staff (2 Dec 2014)

Simon Harris: Recruitment of established civil servants is carried out by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). This is done through the website www.publicjobs.ie where potential applicants can register and be notified of competitions. PAS would also advertise through the national press. For state industrial (including seasonal) posts, these are advertised on the OPW website www.opw.ie, in the...

Seanad: Flood Management: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Regarding the islands, Kerry County Council needs to assess the problem and see if there is a viable solution. If it does, it is welcome to submit a minor works application which would then be assessed by the Office of Public Works, OPW, to see if there were cost-benefit elements to it. I have seen the devastation experienced by businesses caused by flooding. In the case of Nutgrove Avenue,...

Seanad: Flood Management: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: No, I would imagine there was not. If the local authority can devise solutions, it can then apply for funding for them under the minor flood works mitigation scheme. The OPW can provide a funding mechanism of up to €500,000 under the scheme.

Seanad: Flood Management: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Yes, they are very efficient. I will look into the points Senator Byrne raised about the arterial river in Drumconrath, County Meath, which is known as the River Neagh, as confirmed by the Acting Chairman. The Claregalway relief works are a major scheme and priority for my office. We have had many representations on it and are eager to progress it. Its EIS, environmental impact statement,...

Seanad: Flood Management: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Yes, as well as other measures such as natural flood plains, afforestation, deforestation and so forth. I am pleased to hear of the success of the scheme in Waterford city. Lessons must be learned from the past and the taxpayer cannot continue to pick up the tab for failures to adhere to best planning practice. We are making as much information available as possible which is the purpose of...

Seanad: Flood Management: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: I have a lot to get through and I want to deal with it all. I thank Senators for their constructive contributions on this important topic. I have listened carefully to the contributions and it is clear that flooding is a problem that is at the forefront of the concerns affecting many communities throughout this country. Many issues and some specific local problems were mentioned during the...

Seanad: Flood Management: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Is the Senator referring to Claregalway?

Seanad: Flood Management: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: In addition to its capital works programme, the OPW will continue to implement its programme of maintenance of arterial drainage schemes, entailing average annual expenditure of €17 million and maintenance of approximately 2,200 km of drainage channels annually. Perhaps I will return to the rest of my script at the conclusion of the debate. I very much look forward to the interaction...

Seanad: Flood Management: Statements (27 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Thank you, Acting Chairman. I am extremely grateful to the Leader of the Seanad for making time available for me to address the House on matters relating to flooding and flood risk management. It is a timely opportunity for this debate as there have been a number of policy developments in this area. As a country, we are still continuing to spend a significant sum of money on flooding...

Human Rights Budgeting: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (26 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan must find it a little surreal to be having praise heaped on her tonight, and justifiably so, from every side of the House. It is very well deserved. She is respected on all sides of this House as an individual who is extremely sincere in her commitment. I echo Deputy Clare Daly's comments on Deputy O'Sullivan's human rights record and I have seen some of that with...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (26 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: If the two parents of the bride and two parents of the groom gave money, it would amount to €12,000.

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (26 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: If we accepted the amendments, legislatively the status quowould remain in place. The Government is introducing legislation in this area on the basis of advice from the Revenue Commissioners to try to crack down on abuses of an exemption that was never intended to be applied as it has been applied. I fully accept that no Member of this House wishes for a continuation of this kind of...

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (26 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Correct.

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (26 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Members for their wide-ranging contributions on this issue and on these amendments. This has been useful and I will endeavour to respond to as many of the queries raised as possible. At the outset, it is important to state this is not a new tax and the idea is not to introduce an expansionary tax. The idea is to address a reality on which the Government has been advised by Revenue....

Finance Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (26 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Donnelly for his amendment and for the engagement on this issue. As the Deputy outlined, in last year's budget and in the subsequent Finance Act, the Minister introduced an additional levy of 0.15% on pension fund assets for 2014 and 2015. He did this, in the main, to continue to help fund the jobs initiative, launched in 2011. The measures included, in particular, the VAT...