Results 44,501-44,520 of 46,456 for speaker:Simon Harris

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive (27 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Was this for a similar reason?

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive (27 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: If this is the case I accept Mr. O'Brien's evidence before the committee today and there is no need for me to go through several more of the 51 incidences in the report where there were issues regarding the HSE not taking this matter as seriously as it should have.

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive (27 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: I want to understand how Dr. Smith classifies some of the allowances or top-ups, or whatever we wish to call them, in her audit. I will take the example which has been possibly dominating the media. I also adhere to Mr. O'Brien's principle that it is those who purported to allow the allowances occur in the first place who are most culpable. The media has been covering a story with regard...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive (27 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: This is helpful because as the Chairman and Deputy O'Donnell stated that many of the section 38 agencies provide vital services and many of them depend on significant fund-raising, but we have had weeks of sweetshop funds and car parking fees going to CEOs and officials. I am trying to seek clarity on how a privately funded allowance is defined. Dr. Smith is telling me in the case of the...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive (27 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: As an auditor, does Dr. Smith accept the representation in some quarters that the privately funded allowance in the National Maternity Hospital has been derived from the treatment of private patients as accurate or inaccurate?

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive (27 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Perhaps it is something we can take up with the hospital.

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive (27 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Given that we see so much of each other, it would be nice not to see each other in and around 25 December. I welcome Mr. O'Brien and his team. Dr. Smith has done an impressive body of work which is very helpful to the committee and taxpayer in trying to ascertain what is going on here. I am encouraged by what Mr. O'Brien has said and his determination to deal with the problem and to clean...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive (27 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Page 7 of Dr. Smith's report states: In instances whereby senior management salary levels differ from Consolidated Salary Scales, agencies stated that verbal DOH approval had been sought and obtained. However, these discussion/agreements were not documented on DOH files.However, these conversations, if they took place, would have taken place with real live people. Have we tracked down who...

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive (27 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Does Dr. Smith know who in the Department would have been in a position to sanction such verbal agreement and at what level he or she was at?

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 39 - Health Service Executive (27 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: To be blunt, does Mr. O'Brien believe there was no verbal agreement?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (27 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: That is a very logical way of proceeding. I am sure many of the CEOs and chairpersons will be eagerly following these proceedings. It is important that the committee send a clear message that it envisages asking the CEOs and chairpersons of section 38 institutions to come before it. Regardless of whether people want to be pedantic about to whom accounts are or are not submitted, these...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Motor Tax Collection (26 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 468. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the reason a person who has fully paid motor tax on the vehicle that they currently drive and having purchased a new vehicle which will not be on the road until December must pay motor tax on this vehicle from the time of purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50382/13]

Leaders' Questions (21 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions (21 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: Shame on them.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Unions (20 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 62. To ask the Minister for Finance if the affidavits and resolution report published by the Central Bank following the transfer of the business of Newbridge Credit Union to Permanent TSB will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49738/13]

Order of Business (19 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: I have two issues to raise. I welcome the Taoiseach's comments on the human tissue Bill and ask that it be fast-tracked or expedited as quickly as possible. I know a significant amount of work has already been done on it. I welcome the Cabinet's decision on the public health (standardised packaging of tobacco) Bill, the heads of which were agreed to by the Cabinet this morning. When is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Redeployment (19 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 268. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the processes in place for a public servant who wishes to be re-deployed from one State agency to another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48930/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Building Regulations Compliance (19 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 448. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the measures in place to ensure that building regulations are enforced and that persons purchasing their homes will be assured that rigorous building standards are in place and inspected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49155/13]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Recruitment (19 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 560. To ask the Minister for Defence if he expects recruitment for the armed forces to re-commence; the date on which this might happen; the application process involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49078/13]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Reform (19 Nov 2013)

Simon Harris: 578. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he will take in the context of the rural development plan to address the income concerns of many farmers who depend to a great extent on Pillar II payments, particularly in the vulnerable sectors and regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49036/13]