Results 1,381-1,400 of 46,232 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised that communications took place between the Irish Air Corps (IAC) and two drone operators regarding drone delivery operations in the vicinity of Casement Aerodrome during the period in question. These communications were of an information sharing nature and required no action by the military authorities. In January 2025, in the context of safeguarding operations at Casement...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised that the new C295W to be delivered later this year will be able to carry up to 62 troops for short flights or 48 in airline-style seating for longer journeys with a crew of two pilots. The Casa CN235 aircraft provided a more limited transport function, carrying up to 19 personnel on short-range flights, with a crew of two pilots.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: In December 2022, a contract was awarded to Airbus Defence and Space for an additional C-295 aircraft. This is a dedicated Military Transport (C295M) variant. The principal role of the aircraft is for air transport missions. It will enable the Air Corps to provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. Capability priorities (including replacement capabilities as they near end of life) for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have provided the requested establishment figures for the years 2000 to 2014 inclusive for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) which are set out in the table below. As the Deputy is aware, in July 2022 the Government approved a move over a six-year period, to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The policy of providing Married Quarters to serving Defence Forces personnel was discontinued back in the 1990's and was phased out over a number of years. Accommodation, know as Single-Living-In accommodation, is provided where same is required for training and operational purposes. Such accommodation is managed directly by the Defence Forces at the Brigade level and the assignment of such...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 228 together. Given the continued interest in the events of 1961, a review was conducted in 2004 by military officers for the purpose of a broader examination of the Jadotville case. This Board recommended that the events of Jadotville and the contribution of the 35th Battalion be given recognition. In this context, a number of events have taken...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I agree with the Deputy on the school inclusion model. We have got to be honest when the model is not fit for purpose. I really believe this and I say this when I talk to parents. There are often issues that if there is more money allocated, it can make great progress. Of course, we will allocate more money to children's disability services but reforming the system will be as important....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: No, because we have already done that. A Dáil reform committee has been established. As the Deputy rightly said, we had a Dáil committee that fully engaged. As the Deputy rightly said, it was not possible to reach agreement. I accept the Deputy engaged. Everyone engaged in good faith. I am not having a go here but at some point, we have to say we have talked this as much as we...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy. He is entirely correct. I know it from my time as health Minister. We all know it and the Deputy knows it well. It is an issue of great stress and concern to people in Galway and the west and, indeed, to people having to work in the hospital, and do amazing work but in substandard infrastructural conditions. The Government will respond in kind to the good work that...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I am due to meet shortly, along with the Minister for Health, with some people specifically on this issue. It is an area in which we need to do a lot better. I undertake to look specifically at the recommendations and suggestions put forward yesterday by Cared Ireland. Either the Minister for Health or I will come back directly to the Deputy on this.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. We continue to have a big focus on the whole issue of vacancy and how to bring vacant properties and stock back into use in general. He made the point that even within the local authority stock, more could be done in terms of funding and timelines for the conversion of that stock back into use. I will raise that directly with the Minister, Deputy...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue for his constituents in Palmerstown and across Dublin Mid-West. He is right that this is an issue more broadly. People may feel anxiety in terms of everything moving to a digital or online world and will ask, "What about my needs and the needs of my community?". I assure those people the Government is conscious of this and that we intend to restore...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue as it relates to his constituency of Kildare North. I am very much aware that there are operational challenges in Celbridge, including at Hazelhatch, and that the water network is under pressure. The good news is Uisce Éireann has water main rehabilitation works approved for design and construction in 2025, involving 5.3 km of new water mains....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy knows, at the moment, around 80% of our gas supply comes from two pipelines with the UK. If anything were to happen with one of those pipelines, we would all know about it in terms of very serious consequences. We need to have an insurance policy in place. That is the responsible thing to do. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is examining this area and will bring proposals to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy and Councillor Johnston for raising this important issue of reduced capacity on the northern commuter rail and the impact it is having on their constituents. The Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Canney, has heard what he said. We will raise this issue within the Department, with Irish Rail and with bus providers to see whether that case can be...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I accept the Deputy has been constructive in her framing but I have seen very little evidence of calm in this place today or in recent days on this matter. I am always happy to engage but I am also respectful of process. The Dáil reform committee, which has representatives of all our parties, has now concluded its process by way of a democratic vote. I do not intend to undermine that...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Hearne for raising what is a very important matter. I spoke to the Minister for Education on this issue this morning. I met this week the Ministers for Education and Health and the Minister of State with responsibility for disability specifically on the issue of children's disability services. There was an announcement today by the Minister for Education and the Minister of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Every child has a constitutional right to a place.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: On such a serious issue, the Deputy does not need to say people are rambling on. We are trying to sort this issue for parents and children, and to absolutely vindicate their rights. While every child in this State has a right to a school place, every child also needs to have a right to an appropriate school place. The Opposition can laugh all it wants; everything is not always funny.