Results 61-80 of 11,127 for at speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: ...I will know he has jinxed me. I thank him very much for raising this important issue. He does not need to tell me or anyone in this Government about listening to people. His language suggested that he listens and the rest of us do not. That is unfair to people who listen to communities all of the time. I am listening to the communities here today. I am also being honest with them, as...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy. Obviously, people and communities absolutely matter. That is why it is important to say on the record that there will be an opportunity, before the draft guidelines are finalised, for further input and consultation, including with CEPA. I have no difficulty at all in meeting with CEPA. I just have to arrange it in my diary. I am very happy to make sure that happens,...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: It was 8 May, which I think was 13 days ago. Deputy Bacik's party has been in government. When one gets a report of over 400 pages, 83 recommendations and over 500 actions and subactions, one generally likes to consider them, work with one's team and develop responses. I do not think that 13 days is a long period of time to elapse. This is what a responsible Minister would do. We will...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Then, take actions. That is a good idea too, Deputy Collins. Does the Deputy know what the Government will do this week? It will publish the report. What the Opposition might do is read the report. Then, we might come into this Chamber and debate the report to see how we can actually make more progress. This Government is making progress when it comes to housing supply and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Middle East (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: As the House will be aware, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the situation in the Middle East is of great international concern. Since my election as Taoiseach, I have had many discussions on the situation with my international counterparts. The issue was discussed at the special meeting of the European Council in April, when Leaders committed to working with partners to end the conflict in...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Priorities (21 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Over the last three and a half years, the Government has significantly advanced our Shared Island initiative and continues to progress this important dimension of the Programme for Government, working with all communities and political traditions for a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. On 20 February, the Government announced over €800m in funding for Shared...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: ...to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together. I met the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels on 11 April. Ireland’s membership of the European Union is of great importance to our national prosperity, well-being, and indeed, to our sense of identity and I undertook an early visit to Brussels as a signal of my commitment to continuing our excellent...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I join with Deputy Ó Murchú in extending my sympathies to the family of Pat from Dundalk and I associate myself with the Deputy's remarks. I also welcome the Deputy's commitment to the Narrow Water Bridge, which President von der Leyen and I did not discuss directly. Having said that, I know the importance of the bridge to this country, to the Deputy's region and the constituency...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank colleagues for their contributions. I join Deputy Haughey and others in very much welcoming the overwhelming vote at the UN General Assembly on ensuring that Palestine can and should be a member of the United Nations. I also take this opportunity to commend our own diplomats at the United Nations led by our ambassador, Fergal Mythen, on the incredible work they do in speaking up for...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 14, inclusive, together. I spoke by phone with Prime Minister Sánchez, most recently on Monday, 6 May, when we again discussed the situation in the Middle East, especially in Gaza, concerns about Rafah, and plans to recognise the state of Palestine. In particular, we shared a deep concern about the potential impacts of an Israeli military...

Ceisteanna - Questions: European Council (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank colleagues for the range of questions. First, when it comes to Palestine, I very clearly outlined at the European Council this country's intention to recognise the state of Palestine. I believe we should do it this month, and that is what I am working towards with colleagues in Government, the three parties in Government and also with European counterparts, including the Prime...

Ceisteanna - Questions: European Council (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. I attended a special European Council meeting in Brussels on 17 and 18 April. On 17 April, we heard from the President of the European Parliament and from President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, the latter by video link. Over a working dinner, we discussed a range of international issues, including Ukraine, the Middle East and the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: ...Clarke report to conclude, which is expected to happen this month. Smaller emergency departments in the region, as the Deputy knows, closed 15 years ago. This was based on clear clinical advice at the time but we do know there are significant pressures in the mid-west region. The actions the Minister has taken are correct. I will get a timeline for the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I assure the Deputy there is a while to go in this Government yet, so he should not get too excited. I believe the Tánaiste may have been in Waterford at a private function, possibly even a wedding. I was in Dungarvan.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: No, I think he was at a private event. I was canvassing, and people were asking for the Deputy. I was also in Dungarvan. It was a beautiful day. The sun was out and we were talking about the launch of the traditional Irish music festival. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, knows about it. I was also in Tramore meeting young guys and girls in the surfing school there. I very much...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: The timeline for that legislation remains as was, namely, later this month. I thank the Bacik for raising this important matter. I note the judgment delivered by Mr. Justice Humphreys yesterday in the Northern Ireland High Court, which found that certain provisions of the UK's Illegal Migration Act 2023 are incompatible with the Windsor Framework and the ECHR. We are studying the judgment...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I certainly will take a look at the specific scenario the Deputy has outlined to the House. I had a meeting relating to CDNTs yesterday, with the Ministers of State, Deputies Rabbitte and Naughton, and others, at the Cabinet committee on disability. I received some encouraging numbers on recruitment numbers into the teams. Certainly, the word "rationing", if that is what is happening, is...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Let us also have a degree of context and fairness when we have that debate. The Government met today and considered ten actions on how we can look at a variety of ways to make our migration system more sustainable. This is not a question of abject failure. It is a question of looking at how the numbers have gone from about 3,500 people a year to one where we saw 106,000 people fleeing war...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: -----as they are across the country. I will check. I am not taking from the Deputy's point. Across the country, housing commencements are increasing. I assure the Deputy that when State agencies like Uisce Éireann and others make investment decisions, they do so cognisant of the national planning framework and the national development plan. A new national planning framework will...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Connolly for raising the question. I think she will understand and appreciate that I may have to come back to her on some of the specific issues she has highlighted in relation to her constituency, as is right and proper for her to do. On a broad level, when we look at the issue of housing and balanced regional development, I accept the importance of needing to look at in the...