Results 45,201-45,220 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Public Accounts Committee: Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Review of Allowances (31 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I am scaring myself.

Public Accounts Committee: Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Review of Allowances (31 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I am frustrated because ordinary everyday workers are being lumped with consultants and county managers who receive the same level of protection. The State is in serious financial trouble, but we are all expected to defend a situation where the perks and holiday entitlements of a county manager are looked after to the same level as those of a caretaker. It is illogical.

Public Accounts Committee: Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Review of Allowances (31 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: That is a good assurance.

Public Accounts Committee: Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Review of Allowances (31 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: Is there an eating in one's workplace allowance?

Public Accounts Committee: Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Review of Allowances (31 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I thank the delegation for appearing before us today and apologise for being late. I had a referendum meeting beforehand. I really appreciate the delegation's appearing before us. Unlike many people we see sitting on that side of the table, the delegation does not have to be here, and the fact that it is here is very important. I found this process over the past number of meetings very...

Public Accounts Committee: Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Review of Allowances (31 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I am referring to post-primary education.

Public Accounts Committee: Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Review of Allowances (31 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: That was just something on my mind. Representatives of a number of workers and, obviously, officials from a number of Departments have appeared before the committee. The Army is one group that sticks in my mind, along with maintenance workers, caretakers and the like. We are talking about many people who are low-paid, embarrassingly so in some cases. Let us take the example of the Army,...

Public Accounts Committee: Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Review of Allowances (31 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: No, it will not. We have heard that from both officials and union representatives. Certainly, the message I get from the people Ms King talks about in my constituency is that they want it to happen. Obviously, they want the same amount of money in their pockets at the end of the week. That is normal, and it is ICTU's job to protect that interest. They want a situation whereby their core...

Other Questions: Retail Guidelines (25 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I would like to pick up on the point made by Deputy Troy about the need for a European approach to this issue. We have discussed the marketing of food, drink and clothes to children, but I wish to focus on gambling with particular reference to a new Facebook application. Although it is currently available in the UK only, a number of parents' groups in Ireland have expressed concern about...

Prospects for Irish Economy: Statements (Resumed) (25 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I would like to share time with Deputy Lawlor.

Prospects for Irish Economy: Statements (Resumed) (25 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I am grateful to have an opportunity to contribute to this discussion on the economic situation. I pay tribute to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Finance for the work they are doing to seek a better deal for this country in relation to its bank debt. Last week, our media learned a little lesson in how quickly things can move in European circles. RTE possibly learnt...

Order of Business (25 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: Where are the Deputy's receipts?

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Education and Skills - Review of Allowances (24 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: Regarding the dirt money allowance which is paid in the university sector at a cost of €48,298 to maintenance and ground staff, I presume it is for dirt on their boots. Is this another anomaly where the system fails to rectify people’s pay levels and gives them allowances to bump them up in line with others? It is certainly a badly named allowance.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Education and Skills - Review of Allowances (24 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: This is an issue we are coming across time and again. First, the allowances are badly named. I accept there may be a historical reason but if one were to tell the taxpayer that maintenance staff get a dirt money allowance, it does not exactly instil confidence. Second, the taxpayer would wonder what additional duties are involved in this allowance which would not be part of the day-to-day...

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Education and Skills - Review of Allowances (24 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: Presumably, it is a cultural issue.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Education and Skills - Review of Allowances (24 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: It would be great if the Secretary General were to forward the figures to the committee. On the issue of substitution, on which the Secretary General has already touched with my colleagues, I refer to special report No. 67 of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Secretary General should outline the reason the cost of substitution has grown so much in recent years from an estimation by...

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Education and Skills - Review of Allowances (24 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: Members of the committee have been having a discussion with almost all Secretaries General on the issue of allowances versus core pay. I meet a great number of public servants and teachers in my clinic who tell me they feel very aggrieved that allowances are being discussed when, in their view, their allowances effectively are core pay. Those responsible in the public sector, both at...

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Education and Skills - Review of Allowances (24 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: It was to apply from then on.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Education and Skills - Review of Allowances (24 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: Does the Secretary General see scope for including other allowances in core pay?

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Education and Skills - Review of Allowances (24 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: In respect of allowances, people obviously get some allowances for expenses incurred. People get other allowances which should not be called allowances for taking on additional responsibilities and acquiring additional qualifications. One gets them in the private sector also. Then there are the others which potentially drag down the system, although I acknowledge they might only account...