Results 45,241-45,260 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Vote 36: Defence - Review of Allowances (18 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: There would probably be broad public agreement on that point. The Defence Forces' allowances have been the subject of much focus, but I wish to discuss the allowances for staff within the Department of Defence. They replicate allowances across the public sector. Mr. Howard referred to the need for rebranding while speaking with my colleague, Deputy Donohoe. If I could give one piece of...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Vote 36: Defence - Review of Allowances (18 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: Yes, this issue will arise across Departments. My final question is on the business cases that were put forward. I have read many of them. Calling some of them "business cases" was possibly an overstatement. Is Mr. Howard in a position to offer me his opinion of the quality of the process? This is an important issue. Morale in the Defence Forces has been mentioned. There has been a...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Vote 36: Defence - Review of Allowances (18 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: As Mr. Howard is entitled to do. I thank him for his reply.

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Vote 36: Defence - Review of Allowances (18 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. To pick up on the point made by Deputy Donohoe, this is a very useful process and a good reflection on the Oireachtas. A criticism of social partnership in previous years was how the Oireachtas was never allowed comment on social partnership or public sector reform and everything was done behind closed doors with announcements made with...

Public Accounts Committee: 2011 Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Vote 36: Defence - Review of Allowances (18 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I accept this. I agree with Mr. Howard. What has happened is what I politically call "Bertie economics", which is rather than addressing basic public sector pay we introduced a range of allowances to meet the legitimate expectations of people doing, in many cases, dangerous and important work. I was just making that point. However, it is not a defence for continuing some allowances....

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: We will not take responsibility for Fianna Fáil's work.

Leaders' Questions (16 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: The Deputy said enough to identify them.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Customs and Excise Controls (16 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of customs enforcement officers allocated to combat illegal cigarette smuggling here; the locations at which they are based; the number in each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44154/12]

Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (11 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012. The Bill addresses Articles 3 and 4 of the stability treaty and in doing so it is another piece of the complex jigsaw the Government, the previous Government and all citizens have had to compile and piece together in a difficult and painstaking way in order to get the country back on the road to fiscal sustainability...

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: At the last committee meeting Mr. Magee attended, I asked a question on the number of people working in the HSE in receipt of salaries in excess of €70,000, the number of those individuals in line to receive an increment this year and the cost of those increments. At the time, Mr. Magee did not have the information available, which was understandable, and I was told the information...

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: It arose from the meeting on 28 June and I do not expect Mr. O'Brien to be familiar with it.

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: In challenging times, the more information we have available, the better.

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I do not mean to be pedantic but the HSE knew there were increments totalling €377,000 being paid to those earning over €100,000 in that year.

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I would appreciate that. Since Mr. O'Brien has assumed his position, is there a skill set that must be further enhanced within the HSE in respect of financial management? I do not mean this as a policy question. When we are told about these legacy systems and the overrunning budgets, is the embargo on recruitment having a negative impact on the ability of the HSE to manage its budgets?...

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: Has Mr. Woods a projection for the end of year overspend for the HSE?

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: Mr. Woods referred to the fact that the HSE is trying to achieve a balanced budget. What active measures is the executive taking on a day-to-day basis? I refer to the phrase that sends a chill down people's spines. They do not believe it when we talk about "non-front line savings". I have read that the HSE intends to achieve €72.5 million non-front line savings. What is the...

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: The national media also reported Mr. Woods alluding to €125 million for collection in moneys owed by insurers, which would go some way towards assisting the HSE with its deficit. What is the updated position on the collection of this money?

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I have just looked through the figures in the HSE's July performance report. I could be wrong but I cannot find a hospital in budget. Is that correct? I have looked through them all. Louth County Hospital had used its entire budget by the end of July. That was the highest with 67% spent by the end of June. No hospital is in budget. These are the questions I want to get a feel for: why...

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: Will Mr. O'Brien explain that?

Public Accounts Committee: Vote Management and Budgetary Situation in 2012: Discussion with Department of Health and HSE (9 Oct 2012)

Simon Harris: I take that point but my question still stands. This is a budget management as opposed to a policy question. Is the problem that budgets are mismanaged and the HSE does not have the calibre of people to manage budgets within hospitals? Why is no hospital within budget?