Results 1,361-1,380 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I am not quite sure what the tone or the implication of that is, a Cheann Comhairle; that is for you to consider. Certainly on that matter I would not have that information to hand on Questions on Policy or Legislation. I am sure a written parliamentary question would elicit the answer.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: The Government's general position is to be supportive of those who wish to remain working for longer. This is reflected in the new flexible pension arrangements we have introduced since 1 January this year, which allow for a deferral of the start date of the contributory State pension. The way it would work, though, in respect of a commercial semi-state, each of which is governed by its own...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy McDonald. I am delighted to live in the real world and I am sure she lives there as well. The Garda Commissioner has put significant additional resources into high-visibility policing in Dublin's city centre and that will continue. Of course, when the Deputy makes comments such as "the Government has cut", she is suggesting that the Government decides the allocation of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: The Government's Cabinet committee on housing will meet in early October and the Government will shortly thereafter set the new housing targets for 2025 to 2030. As the Deputy knows, the completion of the new national planning framework is an important part of that. The national planning framework has been out to consultation. I am sure the Deputy and many others have had a chance to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: Welcome back lads. It is your first day back so we will facilitate it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: Not one of you sought this at the Business Committee. For those watching the theatrics at home, none of the Deputies dissented to the Order of Business and then they come to the House asking why we are not having a debate on housing. The reason is because they did not raise it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: If they please do that next week we will endeavour to facilitate them.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: We will call a vote and they will be upset about the business but none of them bothered dissenting at the meeting. Let us have a little bit of fairness and give and take here. Deputy McGrath's commitment to investment in water services is something we share. The Government is very keen to do more in relation to water. Irish Water as a vehicle is delivering but investing more in its...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I wish to be associated with the Ceann Comhairle’s comments on former Deputy Joe Carey. I wish him, his wife Grace and his family the very best and I thank him for his service to this House, to my party and to the people of County Clare. My understanding is that there was no dissent at the Business Committee to the Order of Business but new season, same old, so that is okay. ...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I can hear the passion in the Deputy's voice about the situation he is working his way through. I think it highlights a broader issue about how we empower the person with a disability and their family in terms of the budget that the State allocates to them. I know the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and others have done work in relation to this....

Resignation of Member (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: Hear, hear.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for raising this important matter. First, in relation to Lough Funshinagh, I thank him for the constructive engagement he has had with the Government on the matter. I am pleased Roscommon County Council intends to submit a planning application to An Bord Pleanála this week. I have been in the homes of the people impacted. The fear they are living with is...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: Welcome back, Deputy Barry. The Minister is instead examining ways to ensure that funding is provided so that front-line services can be maintained. We will continue to work with Deputies in Cork and Kerry on this matter.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: With respect to the Deputy, I appreciate he is raising an important issue but he gave a view in relation to confidence and said nobody had confidence, etc. Just to be clear, I have confidence in the head of the National Ambulance Service, Robert Morton, in the management of the National Ambulance Service and in the people working in the National Ambulance Service.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Healy-Rae for his intervention. I base that on the fact that when people give commitments as to what their targets are going to be for the year and then exceed those commitments, that is a good sign. Deputy Collins talked about the cases, and he is right to highlight them. I do not in any way dismiss them but when it comes to the published KPIs for the National Ambulance...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Collins for raising the matter. The Minister for Health became aware of this on Monday morning and, as the Deputy has requested, he had intervened by Monday afternoon to resolve the matter. Once it was brought to the Minister’s attention, he took swift action. I commend him for that because this never should have happened and it was never the intention that it would...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: Has the Deputy done that because this is not just a debating chamber? She is a legislator. Anybody can bring forward legislation in this House so if she has ideas about how she thinks the law should be changed, she should bring them forward and we will engage with her.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: Thank you very much because we are not just here to commentate on this most shocking national tragedy and trauma. We are here to come forward with ideas. I do not intend to play politics with this or throw the Deputy's words back at her in the way she tends to misrepresent mine. I was calling on people who call themselves Christian to act in accordance with their values. I also said that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: No. Unless over the summer the Deputy became a surgeon, she is asking me to recommend clinical care pathways for an extraordinarily sick child. I want that child, Harvey, to get the best clinical care possible. I want Harvey to get all of the treatment possible. I want every child in Ireland, as does the Minister for Health, to get all of the care possible and I believe the best way to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2024)

Simon Harris: -----it is the clinical care that is recommended. I believe that to happen. When I corresponded last night with the family, that is the point I made. We are very happy for my team to talk to the family, very happy to help in every way we can but, ultimately-----