Results 44,761-44,780 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris
- Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 77 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Dublin Docklands Development Authority (Resumed) (2 May 2013)
Simon Harris: I am not being rude but I want to use my phone to read the Official Report of 4 November 2004. The late Tony Gregory, then Deputy Gregory, raised with the then Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, the potential conflicts of interest on the part of members of the board of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority and that this would prevent them from making balanced planning decisions....
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)
Simon Harris: I thank the Taoiseach for his commitment on this issue and for the clarification he has provided in respect of it. When he placed the issue of the abolition of the Seanad on the public agenda before the most recent general election, it moved the conversation on significantly. Some 12 reports on Seanad reform were compiled in the past but no action was taken in respect of any of these. Even...
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)
Simon Harris: It refers to learning from the experience of other countries. As stated, 14 of the 27 member states of the European Union have unicameral systems. Most countries with bicameral systems have populations greater than 10 million.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)
Simon Harris: It relates to the electoral system. Prior to the election, there was a discussion as to whether we would consider having some Members of this House elected in a way different to that in which we are all currently elected. This would ensure that there would continue to be varied voices heard within the political process.
- Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Seanad Referendum (30 Apr 2013)
Simon Harris: 3. To ask the Taoiseach his plans for a referendum on the future of Seanad Éireann. [20169/13]
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: In terms of the timeframe, how is it proposed to get from A to B?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: Could that happen this year?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: The desired outcome for everybody would be a unified system rather than many legacy systems. I would like to make a couple of other points. Politicians expect agencies such as the HSE to set targets. However, on review, it is evident that no hospital has reached them. One example is the accident and emergency targets set for last year. The target set for discharge and admittance within...
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: Would it be fair to say the targets for this year, in terms of this specific metric, are the same and that Mr. O'Brien expects to see an increase in compliance with them?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: My last question is on absenteeism. I have read the HSE's note on the issue. I recall that when we discussed it previously with Mr. O'Brien's predecessor, there was a huge variance in where there was absenteeism, both in terms of geographic location and, more interestingly, job descriptions. As I recall, the level of absenteeism among doctors was low, while among nurses it was slightly...
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: What is the percentage in that regard?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: That is good news. In terms of the €35 million, is Ms McGuinness confident that the HSE will not encounter the same difficulties this year that it did last year?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: Could it encounter them?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: Putting that on the record is important. The issue of agency staff was mentioned. Can we have the figures? The information that we have been given may be different to that provided to Mr. Barry O'Brien. According to the information that is available to me, the agency costs were 10% higher this January at €18.9 million than they were in the previous January and 6% higher than the...
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: What was the average monthly agency cost last year? How does it compare to this year's average?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: What has been the average in the first quarter of this year?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: In the budgetary reduction set out in the HSE's service plan for last year, there was to be a reduction in agency costs of approximately €100 million, but this was not achieved.
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: This year's service plan alludes to a reduction in agency staffing, but it does not set any target. Is this correct?
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: I am sorry to interrupt, but I understand the logic of Mr. Barry O'Brien's point. The HSE is being told to reduce its numbers and, therefore, it must take on agency staff. However, there is an issue of credibility. The 2012 service plan did not reach its target. This year's service plan alludes to a reduction but does not set a target. Has the issue been included just to make a reference...
- Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 40 - Health Service Executive
Health Service Executive Financial Statements 2011 (25 Apr 2013) Simon Harris: Yes.