Results 5,501-5,520 of 46,260 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Reviews (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I will certainly reflect on the comments Deputy Ó Ríordáin has made this evening and will feed them back into the Department and have conversations with colleagues there. I think we would all agree that no organisation or no part of society, as we know through our work on many issues, is immune to wrongdoing or discriminatory actions and the like. What is really important...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Drug Dealing (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ward for this important question. As the Deputy will be aware, and as I am from my past political life, the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy which is called Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. This...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Drug Dealing (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy. His colleague, Deputy Crowe, was good enough to talk to me about it the other day and I am aware he has brought forward a Private Members' Bill on this and I have given him an undertaking that I will consider it and engage with him when it is scheduled to be debated. I also note that the Child Care Act 1991 falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: It is my intention to use one of the legislative vehicles already going through the House, probably the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, to bring forward the amendment to increase the maximum sentence from seven years to 12. It is my intention to bring that amendment to the Government shortly and with the co-operation of this House and the other House to seek the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I agree with the point on minimum sentencing. There is quite a bit of evidence that when maximum sentencing is increased, it generally puts an upward pressure on the length of sentences given out by the courts. Therefore, I think maximum sentencing is the most effective way to go at this time. I, too, send solidarity to any garda or emergency front-line worker who has experienced any level...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Reviews (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for quite rightly raising this important matter. It is important that in all parts of society we all redouble efforts to stamp out any culture that is anything other than inclusive, welcoming and supportive and does not have any tolerance at all for misogyny, violence or inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. I think we would both agree that the vast majority of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I congratulate Deputy Daly on his appointment as his party's spokesperson on justice. While we may not always agree and while we may have disagreements from time to time, I wish him all the best as he takes up that role. I am extremely grateful to all front-line workers for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role they play in our society....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Ríordáin for the question. Under the national development plan, the Government is committed to investing significant levels of capital funding into An Garda Síochána to deliver a Garda station modernisation and refurbishment programme, to delivering strategic ICT and digitalisation projects, and to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose Garda fleet. This...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I can and often, when I outline the law as to the responsibilities of the Commissioner versus me, it is not to recuse myself of interest in a project. Deputy Ó Ríordáin, who raises this on a regular basis, knows this is a major commitment in the national development plan. The Northern Cross project is a commitment under the national development plan. The Office of Public...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I respectfully suggest that we should allow the discussions between the Garda, the OPW and Dublin City Council to conclude. This will then enable them to prepare for planning with a view to bringing forward planning in 2024 potentially. This is the window or timeframe that we potentially have. Of course it will be important that local communities are updated and kept engaged and informed...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for his question and for his ongoing work. I only wish I had counterparts in Northern Ireland. I do not say that to be facetious but the Deputy will see during my answer how the absence of an Executive stymies some levels of engagement. However, I am pleased to say there is excellent ongoing cross-Border co-operation with counterparts in Northern Ireland on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I will seek confirmation on the two issues the Deputy has raised concerning the recent engagement my colleagues had with their counterparts. I believe in all jurisdictions, including for Irish citizens in Northern Ireland, people having swift access to justice is an important part of any effective justice system. I am personally engaging with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: The fifth report of the IRC was brought to Government in December. Overall, the IRC has not altered its view that the risks posed to society by the continuing existence of paramilitary groups and structures means paramilitarism remains a clear and present danger in Northern Ireland. Six new recommendations are contained in the fifth report, including a further recommendation on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I completely assure the Deputy that the legal obligation to carry out a review of this was taken extraordinarily seriously by my Department. The review was commissioned and an independent expert was appointed. While I share the Deputy's frustration, I have outlined the reasons as to why there was a delay and the additional efforts my Department has made to ensure that the review can be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I cannot stand over the delay, and I am not seeking to do so. I am seeking to ensure that the report is progressed, finalised and published as a matter of urgency. I have acknowledged my frustration that it has not been forthcoming, and I have outlined the reason why it has been delayed. As Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Deputy will know that in the context of oral parliamentary questions,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I have a great deal of material. I was making the point that, and this is in no way to apportion blame to anybody, but the study lead for this report, when they were commissioned to do this piece of work, was asked to also carry out the familicide review following the untimely passing of Norah Gibbons. She very kindly agreed to do that and put a great amount of effort into it. I am hoping...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies Christopher O'Sullivan and Murnane O'Connor. Regarding west Cork, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan is correct that this is an area the Government has identified through its work with Tusla as a priority location for a new refuge. I would be very happy to engage with the organisation doing the work on the ground there. If he wishes to bring a delegation to Leinster House, I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I very much understand that burglaries can be traumatic and invasive. They can leave people feeling unsafe and uneasy in their home and community. They very much impact people’s sense of security in their home. The Deputy will be aware of Operation Thor which tackles burglary and actively targets organised crime gangs and repeat offenders through co-ordinated crime prevention and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: We will absolutely support the Garda in resourcing Operation Thor, in recruiting gardaí and getting more gardaí on the streets and rolling out the community safety plans in every county in Ireland in 2024. The numbers show a stark improvement. Every burglary impacts on a person or family. I do not dismiss in any way the significance of that individual trauma and loss of a sense...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (18 Apr 2023)

Simon Harris: I do not want to drown the Dáil in statistics and yearly comparisons. I just make the point that we try to compare the last year before there were Covid restrictions which was 2019 - last normal year - with 2022, the first year without Covid restrictions. During the pandemic years when everyone was at home with lockdown periods and the likes, that obviously had a downward impact on...