Results 43,661-43,680 of 46,456 for speaker:Simon Harris

Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The new SDLP.

Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: There is nothing trivial about making accusations.

Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: It has been a tough day for the Deputy.

Order of Business (15 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: We extended the freedom of information process.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (15 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The table below schedules individuals and legal entities who were the Landlords of commercial office leases held by the Commissioners of Public Works as at year-end 2013 (approximately €86 million).  The Commissioners are not in a position to supply details for leases that may be held by other Government Departments or Agencies on behalf of the State. LANDLORD RENT PA A...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (15 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Ross Castle, Killarney, Co. Kerry, is a National Monument in State care under the management of the Commissioners of Public Works. All works and maintenance carried out at the site are governed by relevant National Monuments legislation. The Castle itself is medieval with original features and as a result is a very restricted site. Ingress for all visitors is through a main gate followed...

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Financial Resolution No. 1: Tobacco Products Tax (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: He is wrong.

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Financial Resolution No. 1: Tobacco Products Tax (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: He is not counting correctly. He has left out the capital spend.

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Financial Resolution No. 1: Tobacco Products Tax (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: What is wrong with that?

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Financial Resolution No. 1: Tobacco Products Tax (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Where is the evidence for it?

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Absolutely over three years. The system probably could not do it over one year. It is €800 million this year. I also welcome the fact that the pension levy will be abolished at the end of 2015 and reduced to 0.15%. Senator Barrett referenced the need to reform and to continue to reform. He is right that reform is not, and cannot be, something that is only done in years of crisis....

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Reference was made to issue of excise. I welcome the fact that there has not been an increase in excise duties. Many Senators and many Members of the other House raised the need to support one's local. We have talked about economic development outside of Dublin, the role of the pub, particularly the rural pub. In many communities it is more than just a pub, it is a tourism facility or a...

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I do not snigger.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I have 16 pages of notes.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: So would I. I am sure we will be back again, and the discussions on the social welfare Bill and the finance Bill will give us plenty of opportunities to tease out some of the issues raised by Senator O'Donnell and many others. I will endeavour to get through as many as I can. I thank Senators for their contributions which I have found useful and positive. I also found the constructive...

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Last year saw a welcome return to economic growth. There were clear indications that this would accelerate in 2014 and that domestic demand was stabilising and about to return to modest growth. Nevertheless, in the first half of this year the pace of real economic activity surprised on the upside. Exports performed strongly, even when account is taken of the impact of so-called contract...

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I welcome the opportunity to speak in the Seanad and to contribute to this debate on budget 2015. Earlier today, the Ministers, Deputies Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin, presented to Dáil Éireann the Government's fourth budget and the first since Ireland regained its economic sovereignty following the successful exit from the EU-IMF programme at the end of last year. This budget...

Topical Issue Debate: Licensed Moneylenders (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is correct. The issue that has been raised by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and others about illegal moneylenders is a major cause of concern for people on all sides of the House. We need to examine it. Since persons operating as illegal moneylenders are in breach of the law, it is a matter for the Garda Síochána to investigate their activities. Under section 98...

Topical Issue Debate: Licensed Moneylenders (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I do not have that, because it is a matter for the Central Bank. It is a fair point. We have provisions in the Consumer Credit Act 1995. If the question the Deputy is posing is whether they are adequate or if more could be done, I am willing to explore it with my colleague, the Minister for Finance. I thank the Deputy for raising it.

Topical Issue Debate: Licensed Moneylenders (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and for giving me an opportunity to outline the Government's thinking it. I will deal with some of his requests which were quite constructive at the end of my response. The Government has some concerns about the introduction of a cap. Those concerns include that the introduction of a cap on the interest rates that can be charged by...