Results 7,461-7,480 of 47,517 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Reports (22 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I have requested my officials to send the Deputy a copy of the report referred to.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Appointments to State Boards (22 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department. The nomination and appointment processes for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in legislation. In line with a Government Decision in 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS), currently...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Lobbying Reform (22 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is required to publish a list of staff who are Designated Public Officials (DPO) under Section 6(4) of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. The purpose of the Act is to provide for a web-based Register of Lobbying to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials on specific...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Schemes (22 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023. The Immigrant Investor Programme was established over a decade ago during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty to stimulate investment in Ireland that would be of strategic and public benefit to the State. Since its inception,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (22 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that all visa applications must be made from the applicants home country, or a country where they are legally resident. This is the norm among visa/immigration services worldwide. The applicant should be advised that processing times can vary between countries. They can also vary during high volume periods during the year. However, the applicant can generally expect a...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I do not believe I need to.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I am pleased we are on Committee Stage. I will start with the areas where I agree. Deputy Pringle made the point about this legislation being good to have but that it is important - not to put words in the Deputy's mouth - for it to be effective. For people to be prosecuted where appropriate and the likes, that is absolutely a sentiment and a guiding principle I hold as we steer this...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: First, I will be continuing to examine this issue in advance of Report Stage. I note the Deputies' amendments. I believe they are trying to address a point that arose frequently during the course of the Second Stage debate. Since Second Stage, I have been reflecting on the many calls to expend the definition of hatred in the legislation. I appreciate that some people believe that...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (21 Feb 2023)

Simon Harris: I have outlined the issue regarding bias and prejudice, and the reasons for that. I am happy to provide the committee with any useful information that I can. We have had very clear advice from the Office of Attorney General and have heard the concerns of the DPP about taking a definition that is useful and with which, I think, none of us has a policy problem - I certainly do not - and that...