Results 43,641-43,660 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The existing treaty with Belgium is one of our oldest double taxation agreements and was signed in Brussels in 1970. The principal feature of the protocol to the agreement relates to an exchange of information. The protocol is designed to update the article in the existing treaty on exchange of information to ensure full conformity with the OECD standard. The 1998 OECD report, Harmful Tax...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Yes. As stated earlier and in the interests of providing clarification, it would be necessary to update an agreement dating back to 1970 to bring it into line with the OECD template. The protocol to the agreement with Denmark deals with the taxation of foreign employment income and it was signed by the Danish ambassador and me. Ireland's treaty with Denmark contains a rule - the only such...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Applications (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 to 72, inclusive, together. The current position with regard to the Bandon and Skibbereen Flood Relief Schemes is that they are both at the stage of procurement of civil works contractors. In both cases, contractors will be appointed after a two stage process, with both processes currently at the pre-qualification stage to produce a shortlist of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Station Refurbishment (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Commissioners of Public Works undertake refurbishments and routine maintenance to Garda Stations on foot of requests by An Garda Síochána. The Commissioners received a request for the installation of a kitchenette at Castlemaine Garda Station on the 5th of September 2014. The Commissioners will give due consideration to carrying out these works subject to the funding available...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Commissioner of Public Works that an area of boundary wall close to John's bridge has been fully repaired with all hoarding now removed. At a second location, concerns have arisen regarding the safety of the embankment following storm damage to trees along a section of the Canal Walk, and this area is being closely monitored. Further work is required in including repairs...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Contracts Data (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated. A detailed response will issue as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (23 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together. On 11 February 2014 the Government decided to allocate total funding of €69.5 million for repair of public infrastructure damaged by storms in the period 13 December, 2013 to 6 January, 2014. Of this total amount, the OPW is responsible only for the approval of programmes of works and the disbursement to local authorities of the...

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Fuels Issues (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I reiterate my thanks to both Mayo Deputies, Deputy O'Mahony and Deputy Mulherin, for raising and highlighting this issue in the House and giving me an opportunity to outline to the House the seriousness with which the Minister for Finance treats this matter, as does the Revenue Commissioners. The Deputies have both made the point that as well as this illegal activity a significant number...

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Fuels Issues (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies John O'Mahony and Michelle Mulherin for raising an issue that is causing considerable concern to constituents in Mayo. I am pleased to have this opportunity to respond to the issues raised on behalf of the Minister for Finance. I am aware that the Revenue Commissioners have recently received reports of the alleged stretching of petrol using kerosene or other substances....

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Second Stage (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to be here on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, who, as Senator Susan O’Keeffe pointed out, was sorry he was unable to take the full debate due to another commitment. I thank all Senators for the constructive, informed and insightful contributions to this debate. This legislation is a real example of how parliamentary democracy and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Following the period of coastal storm flood damage from 13 December, 2013 to 6th January, and the Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 to provide funding for damage repairs, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) wrote to Kerry County Council indicating that, based on the estimate submitted by the Council to that Department, up to €1,226,920 is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 88 together. The Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 specifically addressed the allocation of funding for the repair of existing public infrastructure damaged by storms in the period of 13th December to 6th January 2014. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) wrote to Kerry County Council indicating that,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Drainage Schemes Expenditure (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works commenced repair works on embankments at the location referred to by the Deputy at Callinafercy West, Milltown, Co. Kerry earlier this year, following the tidal storm surge of 3 January. These flood defences are within the Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme, which is under the care of the OPW. The OPW intends to carry out further repair works before the end of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works received an application from Kerry County Council for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for flood alleviation works at this location. This application is currently being assessed having regard to the eligibility criteria for the Scheme which requires the proposed works to be cost beneficial and to the availability of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Applications (18 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: A Feasibility Study to examine the options to address the flooding problem in Sneem is being undertaken by the Office of Public Works in partnership with Kerry County Council. A potential option to address the problem has been identified by the OPW. A channel survey has been carried out and gauges have been installed to begin the process of collecting the flow data that will be required to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: It is a matter for Kerry County Council, in the first instance, to investigate and address flooding issues in the County. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has no assets in Ballylongford and, therefore, has no direct responsibility in maintaining or improving existing flood defences. However, Ballylongford was identified through the national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment as an area where...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Minor Works Scheme Applications (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: In February of this year, the Government decided, based on submissions and estimates provided by local authorities and other agencies to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, to make available a sum of up to €70 million for a programme of repair and remediation works in respect of damage caused by the winter storms. Laois County Council was not allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: In 2010 Mayo County Council submitted an application for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for works to prevent water infiltration through the river walls on the left bank of the River Moy at the location referred to. The application was not approved as it is OPW's view that other factors may be contributing to flooding at this location. The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The matter raised by the Deputy is of the utmost importance and the problem of flooding in Ireland is being addressed through the Office of Public Work's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. This is a major national programme under which the most comprehensive assessment of flood risk in the country to date is being undertaken. The purpose of the CFRAM Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Data (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Repair works to 15m of collapsed sea wall at Strand Road, Sutton were included in the programme of works Fingal County Council submitted to the Office of Public Works on foot of the Government Decision of 11 February that allocated funding for repairs of coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure damaged in the period 13th December to 6th January. The Council has indicated that these...