Results 5,641-5,660 of 45,373 for speaker:Simon Harris

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Fortunately, I cannot because it is an area I am truthfully passionate about, as, I must acknowledge, is the Minister of State, Deputy Browne. Long story short, it is my intention, while I hold these two Departments, to have a prison and education task force established. I have spoken to the director general of the Prison Service. It simply makes sense. Pretty much all the agencies...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I understand that we do own it and we have made a portion available. I should say that this issue arises from time to time. We have made it clear to colleagues in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, who are doing an extraordinary job in appallingly difficult circumstances, that part of the site could be available, if deemed suitable, for Ukrainian and...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am not passing the buck when I say that a lot of the Garda stations infrastructure is owned by the OPW. There is an awareness and a knowledge across the OPW and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth about the availability of stock. To be very clear, our sector will not, and should not, be found wanting in any way in making available anything and...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I appreciate that and we will take up the offer. The prison population remains overwhelmingly male. We have a male to female prisoner ratio of 30:1. The number of female prisoners was as low as 66 in 2008 but in recent years the number has generally ranged between 100 and 120 so the Deputy is right to raise the issue of gender. I will state some other figures that may be of interest to...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I have the report.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am encouraged to hear there is unanimous recognition of the need for more judges. We need a mature discussion on this matter. With the greatest of respect to members of the Judiciary, who work hard, this is not about judges, but about ensuring that everyone in our country can access justice in a speedier manner. There is plenty of empirical evidence that we do not have enough judges. As...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am delighted. I came here with a note on Tralee specifically because I thought that Deputy Daly might raise the issue.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: It may not be the answer the Deputy wishes, unfortunately. It is true to say that the Courts Service is independent in these matters. However, I will relay the Deputy's view to it. For the benefit of the record, my note tells me that the provision of new court facilities in Tralee is one of the Courts Service's projects identified in the national development plan, as the Deputy knows. As...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: From the Government's perspective and from the Department's perspective, we are very eager to see new and expanded court facilities in Tralee. This is why it was identified as one of the priority projects in the national development plan. I believe the Deputy is also very clear that there is no debate around the need for an expanded court presence and service in Tralee. There clearly is a...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy. I am grateful to have an opportunity to discuss this. To be clear, immigration is a good thing. Immigration is a thing our country needs. We are a stronger, better country as a result of immigration, whether that is in our public services, the private sector, the education system with students coming in, or in our communities. Diversity and inclusion are core parts of...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I do not want to get into a discussion about ongoing Garda operations but I will say that everybody in this country has a right to be safe. That applies to people ordinarily residing in the State and to people fleeing persecution who are in our country seeking protection. Every single person has a right to be safe and to feel safe. I have spoken directly to the Garda Commissioner and he...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice (Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Revised)
Vote 44 - Data Protection Commission (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I will take the issues in order. First, I will respond to the question on the Data Protection Commission. As is right and proper, I am very conscious of its independence. I am especially conscious of that for all of the reasons colleagues have outlined regarding its role not just in Ireland but its lead oversight and supervisory role at an EU level. I did meet with the Data Protection...

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Referral to Select Committee (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: First, I very much welcome that throughout this Second Stage debate, we have had Members from all sides of this House condemn the recent spate of attacks, assaults, or attempts to intimidate members of An Garda Síochána. It is very important this House sends out that message. The second point I wish to make while introducing this legislation is that it is important, as Minister...

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Do not be too disappointed.

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: Not to interrupt, but I did reference my intention to perhaps put it-----

Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: My apologies.

Seanad: Moving Towards Zero Tolerance of Violence against Women: Statements (9 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I thank the Members of Seanad Éireann for affording me some time, and affording this House some time, to talk about the extensive work that we all are doing, and wish to do, to combat all forms of violence against women, including by changing the social and cultural attitudes that can often underpin such horrific crimes. Ending sexual and gender-based violence and abuse is an obligation....