Results 61-80 of 47,732 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: -----is going to court. One of its elected representatives has rushed to the courts to try to block those changes to apartment standards.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I ask Deputy Sheehan respectfully, as his party's spokesperson on housing-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: -----to pick up the phone to his councillor and tell him to stop weaponising the use of the courts to try to delay changes we need to make to apartment standards. There will be students in Limerick who need more apartments and student accommodation to be built and the Labour Party councillor is actively delaying that in my respectful opinion.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: Today is a significant day in terms of housing policy in Ireland. It comes after a number of decisions the Government has already taken. This plan today needs to be seen in the context of the national development plan published this summer, where we significantly increased the level of investment directly in house building. After listening to people across the country, local authorities...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: That is welcome news.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: There is also an additional €100 million, specifically in 2026, to get families out of emergency accommodation, particularly children-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: -----and into homes. It is new money of €100 million that has not yet been spent in 2026. Do not mislead the people. The Deputy will accept it is €100 million for 2026 that has not yet been spent. That will need to be repeated each year during the lifetime of this plan. There is a new performance fund to incentivise local authorities to exceed their annual own-build social...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I have.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: They are.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I agree there is certainly one fundamental difference between Sinn Féin and the Government when it comes to housing. Sinn Féin wants this plan to fail because it believes it will do well if our housing plan fails. We intend to work every night and day to build housing but Sinn Féin thrives on the misery-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: -----and exploiting the intergenerational anxiety of others.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: It needs this plan to fail-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: -----so it can exploit the challenges people face. Of course, the Government is not going to fail because the Government has already delivered. The Deputy talks about my record in government. We delivered over 137,000 new homes during the lifetime of Housing for All.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Climate Change Policy (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: Emissions trading is a key part of the global effort to decarbonise industry and achieve our net zero carbon emissions' goals. The UK is a valuable partner as we seek to achieve these targets. Since Brexit, the EU and UK have had separate Emission Trading Systems (ETS). At the EU-UK Summit in May, both sides agreed to work towards linking these systems under a future agreement that will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 together. There are no agencies under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. My Department works with a number of civil society organisations in the realisation of key foreign policy priorities, including in the delivery of Irish Aid, the Government of Ireland's international development programme. A full list of civil...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: The Windsor Framework, an agreement reached between the EU and UK in 2023, acknowledges the unique circumstances on the all-island of Ireland within the context of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU in 2016. Through it, the gains of the Good Friday Agreement have been protected, while also providing certainty and clarity for the people and businesses of Northern Ireland and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland, through our engagement at EU level, including participation in meetings of the Council of Ministers, plays a proactive role in shaping a European Union that reflects Irish values and interests in its policies and ambitions. We work to prioritise economic competitiveness in the EU and to support an ambitious EU trade agenda with a view to advancing Ireland’s economic interests....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not own or lease any properties within this jurisdiction. The Office of Public Works is responsible for all accommodation utilised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade within the state.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: Occupational pension (superannuation) terms for members of the PDF are provided under the Defence Forces Pensions Schemes, relevant circulars and legislation, and under public service pension policy. The specific terms that apply to any individual depend primarily on the date a person joins the PDF and on whether that person is joining the Public Service for the first time. Their...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: At the outset, I wish to assure the Deputy that I recognise the outstanding contribution made to the State by our ex-service personnel. In this regard, my Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations which represent all former personnel, namely the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) and the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE). My...