Results 43,861-43,880 of 46,456 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (17 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 Minor Works scheme which requires the proposed works to be cost beneficial and to the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (17 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that their primary focus is to protect and conserve the existing buildings and fortifications of the Magazine Fort, which is a protected structure. The Fort is regularly inspected for evidence of any unauthorised access and routine maintenance works are carried out when required. I recently inspected the site myself as part of a more general...

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

Simon Harris: Proposals to deal with the flooding issue in Cork City were placed on display in the City Hall on 29 July 2014 at an Information Day undertaken to inform the public of the emerging Scheme for the City. Members of the Design Team were in attendance on the day to explain the proposals and to deal with queries from the public. Over two hundred people attended on the day. The public were invited...

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

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for his amendment and for our exchange this afternoon. The section amends the State Authorities (Public Private Partnerships Arrangements) Act 2002 by adding a section that will allow Ministers to issue guarantees or indemnities in respect of PPP projects, with the consent of the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform. Such indemnities or guarantees have...

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

Simon Harris: It is limited by the obligations of the sub-sovereign entity.

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

Simon Harris: It depends on the size of the project and the contract.

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

Simon Harris: The National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000, which set up the NPRF to pre-fund the burden of pensions on the Exchequer from 2025, was amended in 2009 to allow the Minister for Finance in certain circumstances to direct the NPRF commission to invest in financial institutions. This was the mechanism used to recapitalise the banks following the financial crisis. I acknowledge why the Senator...

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

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for her amendment which I cannot accept, the reasons for which I will outline. I simply do not believe it would work. The assets of the National Pensions Reserve Fund will be transferred to the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and they will then be invested in Ireland in a manner designed to support economic activity and employment. However, it is clearly not practical...

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

Simon Harris: I understand where the Senator is coming from. While there is no requirement to publish directions to make certain investments, under section 42 directions made will be public knowledge by virtue of the fact that they will be detailed in the NTMA's annual report. Section 49 of the Bill provides that the NTMA will provide a detailed list of the assets of the fund in its report at the end of...

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...