Results 43,401-43,420 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Commissioners of Public Works have agreed to purchase the former Newbridge Credit Union building from the High Court appointed Official Liquidator, for use as an Intreo Centre for the Department of Social Protection. While the Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection's immediate focus is to ensure that the Intreo service is fully functional as soon as possible, any future...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works has commenced a project to relocate the Dublin City Coroner and the State Pathologist from their current accommodation into newly refurbished premises at the former Whitehall Garda Station Dublin 9. The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland lodged a notification with Dublin City Council (DCC) on 29 August 2014 under the provisions of Part 9 of the Planning and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Graiguenamanagh is an Area for Further Assessment under the ongoing South East Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study and the flood risk in the town is being assessed in detail under the CFRAM project. Pending the completion of the CFRAM project and the identification and implementation of any long term flood defence measures that may emerge from the CFRAM, the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works is currently undertaking a project at Kilmainham Gaol to provide new Visitor facilities in the former Kilmainham Courthouse building which sits immediately adjacent to the Monument. Planning Permission for this development was recently awarded and work is progressing rapidly on the project currently with a view to an early start onsite. The newly adapted building...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Government Decision of 11 February 2014 allocated total funding of up to €69.5 million for clean-up, repair and restoration works in relation to public infrastructure that was damaged in the period 13th December 2013 to 6 January 2014. Of this sum of €69.5 million, up to €19.6 million was allocated for the repair of existing coastal protection and flood defence...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Correspondence (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: Requests for meetings with local or regional officials of the Office of Public Works (OPW) do not have to be routed through my office as a matter of course. OPW officials interact routinely with local and public representatives regarding numerous aspects of its business activities. I am satisfied that the manner in which OPW manages correspondence from public representatives, including...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently reviewing State owned sites in the area to see if any are suitable for the development of a new Garda Station in Bailieborough. If no suitable State owned site is available, it is intended that a notice will be placed in local and national media seeking offers of suitable sites. The Office of Public Works advances the provision of facilities for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (4 Nov 2014)

Simon Harris: On foot of the Deputy's previous PQ No. 31 of 15 October last, an examination of the existing toilet facilities, from the perspective of people with disabilities, at Ross Castle has taken place. This amenity was installed in the early 1990s and complied with the requirements at the time. However, over time, standards have changed and the facilities in place do not now comply with the most...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: This amendment seeks to clarify and outline what has always been the view of the Valuation Office, and one presumes of this House when passing legislation in 2001 on the Valuation Bill, regarding an exclusion from valuation of any constructions which are designed or used primarily to induce a process of change as opposed to storage. I make the point that if there is a storage container down...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: It is proposed to change the Long Title of the Bill in order to reflect the importance of correctness of valuations and their relativity to each other, as already provided for in section 49 and otherwise in the Principal Act. The important and overriding principle is that the valuation of properties is determined correctly in themselves and correctly by reference to the values of other...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I note the points the Senator has made and the points on which we have differed during this constructive debate and take this opportunity to say that I expect some of the issues we have teased out in regard to child care, sports clubs and the concerns of the Irish Hotels Federation can be rectified on Report Stage and the legislation can be improved as a result. That is a good days work for...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Before there is widespread panic, let us be very clear. The purpose of the amendment is to reduce the rate bills for sports clubs. One can argue that the system needs to be tightened and suggest how that should be done. I am happy to engage on those points between now and Report Stage and consider any amendments which would ensure that what we are trying to do is achieved. I am more than...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Clubs with licences are being charged rates on their entire operation.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: That is not fair and is what we are trying to address. We are not trying to introduce new charges on sports clubs. I have legal advice on the amendment I proposed. I outlined the guidelines and my openness to further engagement on this between now and Report Stage. The amendment is an honest effort to improve the lot of sports clubs. If we have to go further between now and Report Stage...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: It refers to commercial activity, such as a golf shop or a pro shop. There is a massive range of sports clubs which are involved in a significant variety of activities. If a serious level of income is generated, that is a different matter. I have been very clear in all my public comments. The Fine Gael Deputies who have upset the Senator by issuing those statements-----

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: -----have also been very clear that this is not about commercial activity not being rated or the generation of serious income. I hope I have been emphatic that we are not referring to the diminutive income suggested by the Senator. The guidelines which will be issued and the practice to date reflects that. The Valuations Office has a very good track record on this.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The Senator is reading the amendment in isolation.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Good.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: So do we.

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (Resumed) (22 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Hayden for her constructive suggestions. Income generation tends to come from commercial activity. The generation of income does not mean the nominal receipts of income. I do not want to get tied up in a word game. I have outlined very clearly the intention of the Bill and the amendment, which is to improve the lot we have inherited and make things better for sports clubs....