Results 43,681-43,700 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Barrett for his amendments. I think it is actually quite a big jump to add in expenditure under the public capital programme and I will outline the reasons for saying that. NewERA has been set up to provide financial and commercial advice to shareholding Ministers on designated bodies and also, at the request of other relevant Ministers, advice in relation to other State...

Seanad: National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: Section 26 of the Bill replicates the provision of the Acts under which the NDFA operates. It is important to say that we are not seeking to assign any new functions to the NDFA; we are seeking simply to transfer the NDFA's functions to the NTMA. Section 26 (c) provides that the NDFA may enter into PPPs on behalf of a State authority and transfer the rights and obligations under the...

Seanad: National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Barrett for his amendment. As a member of the Committee of Public Accounts from my election to the Dáil three years ago until two days ago, I was very interested in these amendments, as I have seen at first hand what I believe to be the excellent work that the committee can do collectively and on a cross-party basis. During my time on the committee - I believe this is...

Seanad: National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Reilly for her amendment. In response I would point out that it is important to note that NewERA does not have any executive functions in its own right. It is being established in an advisory capacity as a source of dedicated, corporate finance expertise which will be available to relevant Ministers. The Minister can request NewERA to provide project management services or...

Seanad: National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for bringing forward his amendments. On the first amendment, I appreciate that he is concerned to ensure members of the agency are well qualified and suitable for appointment. I assure him the Minister for Finance shares that concern. It is because we share that concern that we have included a detailed list setting out relevant areas in which potential appointees must...

Seanad: National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: Like Senator Aideen Hayden, I understand from where Senator Sean D. Barrett is coming on this issue. He has been championing the cause of the need for reform of how we do business in this country and how the public services operate. The point made by Senator Aideen Hayden is one I wish to reiterate in the first days in my new position. I have just come from the OPW's head office in Trim...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (16 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: As part of its responsibilities for the care and maintenance of a significant element of the State's heritage property portfolio, the Commissioner of Public Works manage approximately 780 National Monument and Historic Property sites around the country. These properties include many iconic locations such as the Rock of Cashel or Newgrange which are known both nationally and internationally...

Seanad: National Treasury Management Agency Bill 2014: Second Stage (15 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank the Seanadóirí for their warm welcome. I accept the irony pointed out by Senator Crown and implied by Senator Byrne, but Senator Crown and I, as well as others, enjoyed robust debates and exchanges during the course of that referendum and I congratulated him on its democratic outcome, which I fully respect. I look forward to engaging with Senators. I respect them...

Seanad: National Treasury Management Agency Bill 2014: Second Stage (15 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank you. I am delighted to be in Seanad on my first outing as Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014 delivers on one of the key parts of the programme for Government and of our medium-term economic strategy, which was published last December. There are four...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (15 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: 339. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works is considering an application for a location (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31200/14]

Court of Appeal Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: I propose to share time Deputy John Paul Phelan. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Court of Appeal Bill 2014 and I congratulate the Minister for getting the legislation to this stage. I also congratulate the Minister for Justice and Equality on her continuation in office. It is appropriate that, on this day, there is another justice reform being progressed by a Government that has...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (10 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank the clerk for his assistance on this. I know the Department has engaged with the Committee of Public Accounts before and I know some of it may come into the realm of policy. However, the citizen who has corresponded with me makes some legitimate points about regulation, propriety and value for money. I would appreciate getting a detailed note from the Department.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: The Deputy can afford to.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Septic Tank Registration Scheme (8 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: 489. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if a person who has not yet registered their septic tank owing to a specific medical situation can now register their tank and still have the option to apply for a grant for remediation-upgrade works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29030/14]

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report and Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive
Section 38 - Agencies Remuneration (3 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: While these are raw data, that is fine and I thank Ms McGuinness. My final question is to Mr. Kieran Timmins and Ms Stephanie Manahan and is in respect of the CRC's own structures. I have read the curricula vitae or the biographies of the CRC's new board it sent to the committee, including that of Ms Manahan herself. It appears as though the CRC certainly has a robust, credible and...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report and Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive
Section 38 - Agencies Remuneration (3 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: Sure.

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report and Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive
Section 38 - Agencies Remuneration (3 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: The only other point, which is broader than the CRC, concerns the relationship the CRC will have with the HSE in future, as well as the understanding that there very much is a partnership here and it is not the case that if a question is asked by the HSE, it is rude or something.

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report and Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive
Section 38 - Agencies Remuneration (3 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: I appreciate that, and I will not push it much more because Mr. Goulding is a private citizen. He has come before the Committee of Public Accounts and co-operated with us. I genuinely admire and appreciate that, and the fact that Mr. Goulding has put his hands up, so to speak, in terms of errors. My view on this, and Mr. Goulding may or may not wish to comment, is that he had a board of...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report and Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive
Section 38 - Agencies Remuneration (3 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Mr. Goulding. I have a few questions for the HSE. I regret the fact that the entire discussion about section 38 and section 39 agencies has become dominated by two organisations, the CRC and Rehab. That is not to say that I do not believe our actions were correct; I believe they were. Both organisations needed serious examination but there are many more, and we have to be very...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report and Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive
Section 38 - Agencies Remuneration (3 Jul 2014)

Simon Harris: Absolutely, yes.