Results 1,441-1,460 of 45,281 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy McDonald. Absolutely, step one is to get Tori and her mother, who is out there actively supporting her at this very distressing time, home. For this to happen, the travel ban needs to be lifted. It is the current block in terms of Tori coming home. The immediate request and demand of Ireland is that this happens. With regard to the issue of legal representation, I am...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: Where are you working?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: On what is probably our last exchange, I wish Deputy Ó Ríordáin well. His election to the European Parliament is a major milestone for him and his party. I genuinely wish him well as he continues to represent Dublin and Ireland, albeit in a different capacity. I say to all those elected to the European Parliament that everybody in the House is rooting for them. When they go...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (10 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I agree with every word Deputy McDonald said on this issue. I thank her and Deputy Kerrane for engaging with me on this matter, along with Deputy Feighan. This is a really distressing case. It is important that everybody around the world, including in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, know that we are speaking with one voice in this House on this situation. An Irish woman - an Irish...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Staff (10 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: The staffing complement of the Government Press Office at the Department of the Taoiseach over the past twenty four months is outlined in the below table: Timeframe: Team composition: From July 2022 to November 2022 One Assistant Principal Officer (Press Office Manager) and four Higher Executive Officers (Government Press Officers) ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Commissions of Inquiry (10 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: A comprehensive evaluation of how the country managed COVID-19 will provide an opportunity to learn lessons from our experiences in dealing with a pandemic. It will include a review of the whole-of-government response to the pandemic and how we might do better and be in a stronger position if another pandemic or other similar type event were to occur. It will include a consideration of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: State Apologies (10 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: In the last twenty years apologies have been issued in the Dáil, by the Taoiseach on behalf of the State. In May 1999, the then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern T.D., made an unreserved apology on behalf of the Irish state to the victims of child abuse who had spent their childhoods in residential institutions run by 18 religious congregations. In his apology, Mr Ahern noted that abuse had...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: The Department of the Taoiseach has not requested nor drawn down funds from any EU sources in respect of Covid-19.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: First, I sincerely welcome that everybody in this House who has spoken clearly condemns the horrific actions of Putin. I accept that, I acknowledge it and it is important that we say it, particularly after the horror of the children's hospital. I do want to acknowledge that. To be clear, I do not expect the Deputy to follow what I say at these summits, but I did very clearly say in my...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (9 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 to 19, inclusive, together. I attended the summit on peace in Ukraine hosted by Switzerland on 15 and 16 June, together with over 50 other world leaders and over 100 countries and international organisations. As world leaders gathered for this important summit to talk about peace, Russia continued its relentless attacks on Ukraine, including the...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (9 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: That is okay.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (9 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank colleagues for raising a number of issues. Without commenting on individual decisions of the courts, it is absolutely the case that the epidemic of violence by men against women and attacking women does not stop at any border. I say in the spirit of co-operation that there is more we can do on the island together. I know we will have willing interlocutors in the Northern Ireland...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (9 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: To Deputy Ó Murchú, I thank him for his points specifically in relation to the affordable housing scheme in Dundalk, the criteria around it and the anxiety felt by people in relation to the housing crisis. I undertook to come back to him on that, which I will.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cross-Border Co-operation (9 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 15, inclusive, together. The Government continues to prioritise and progress the shared island initiative. Our commitment is to work with all communities and political traditions for a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. On 20 February, the Government announced the largest ever package of funding for cross-Border investments....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (9 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I will take these questions in the order they were asked. Deputy McDonald raised the franchise for the presidential elections. I have not had an opportunity to comment on this since I became Taoiseach. I am in favour of this proposal and acting on it. The Deputy is right that the programme for Government contains a commitment to that. In line with that commitment, the Government restored...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this serious issue. I assure him that nobody wants anyone to lose their sight. There is no political division on that; everybody wants people to keep their sight and to be able to access cataract treatment. I am inquiring about this matter, which raised with me in the Dáil last week. I have asked for an update on it. I expect to have that very shortly....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Wynne for raising this issue, which I will talk to the Minister for Health about. I remember the Spinraza issue, so I want to get myself up to date on this. I will ask the Minister for Health to come back to the Deputy directly on what I know is an important matter.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Harkin. I definitely want to see this sorted, as does the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. I am relying on my note, which indicates that the Labour Court did not specify the grades. However, let me check based on what the Deputy has said, as I accept she said it in good faith. I am aware that the independently-facilitated talks were led by Kevin Duffy, the former and very...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Constitutional Amendments (9 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. There are a number of proposals for constitutional reforms under consideration. However, no final decisions have been made as yet by Government on the timing of any such referendum. Some of the proposed constitutional reforms arise from the programme for Government, such as housing and extending the franchise for presidential...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (9 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I will check in directly with the Minister for agriculture on this but my understanding is that the Department has appointed UCD's Professor Paddy Wall to lead a task force aimed at addressing the serious traceability issues identified in the "RTÉ Investigates" programme and, indeed, the approach to approval of such facilities in the future. My understanding is that the expert from UCD,...