Results 1,641-1,660 of 45,281 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I will do my best. First, I remind Deputy Murphy that I too am a Deputy. I have been elected by the people of Wicklow on three occasions and I am grateful for that. I do not need the media or anyone else, with the greatest respect to them, to let me know what the issues in my community are, and neither does anybody on the Government benches. The constant suggestion that those outside...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Murphy. At the outset, I want to say I am sorry for getting a bit passionate in the last answer, but I think everybody in the House is just so angered. I want to thank Deputy Cairns for raising the important issue. I thank Deputy Murphy for highlighting this issue relating to the RTB. I know she is highlighting a broader issue but if she wants to send to my office the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Cairns for quite rightly raising this issue. I also thank her for her words in relation to the Minister, Deputy McGrath - who I join her in congratulating - and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. I want the Deputy to know that we do not just say, "Never again". Never have I uttered those words. What we need to do is to adopt a zero-tolerance approach in Ireland when...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: That is not fair.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: Fair point.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I am absolutely furious about what has happened in this country - just to be very clear. There is nobody in this House more disgusted than anybody else. Nobody. I am not just a Taoiseach. I am a father. I am a son. I am a husband. Everybody wants to live in a country with zero tolerance, and nobody suggests zero tolerance is some sort of slogan or platitude. Zero tolerance is the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: There absolutely is. It is one I take very seriously. It is a responsibility I do not shirk from at all. To touch on some of the issues the Deputy raised, in the case of an enlisted member of the Defence Forces, I am told that, following a conviction where imprisonment or a suspended sentence is awarded or an appeal has been heard or not submitted, the process for discharge commences upon...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. At his invitation, I want to begin by acknowledging the passing of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. It is with the heaviest of hearts that I, like people across this country, today learned of his death. The word "legend" gets used too often in Ireland but, for Mícheál, it is a word that is almost not good enough. His voice, his colour, his...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Covid-19 Pandemic (19 Jun 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: Cabinet Committees (19 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: The Cabinet Committee on Housing last met on Thursday, 30th May. The Committee is scheduled to meet again on Thursday 11th July.

International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: And yours.

International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: It does not.

International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to accept the following measures: (a) Directive (EU) 2024/1346...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I am not aware of that situation but is a very serious matter to raise. Let me ask for a report from the relevant Department. Dublin Zoo is independently run but receives funding from the State. I take animal welfare extraordinarily seriously. I was utterly horrified by the revelations in the "Prime Time Investigates" programme last week. I want to receive a full and comprehensive report...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Child Poverty (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputies for raising these issues. On child homelessness, we have a real need to do more. The point Deputy Boyd Barrett made about three-bedroom and four-bedroom houses is interesting because - and this is the challenge with a housing crisis in general - I often meet people in my constituency who are always looking for a one-bedroom house. If we are being honest and truthful,...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Programme for Government (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 14, inclusive, together. Individual commitments in the programme for Government are advanced through the co-ordinating mechanisms of the Cabinet committee structure. There are ten Cabinet committees established by the Government to reflect the full range of policy areas set out in the programme for Government. Cabinet committees meet regularly to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: -----how she is being wrongly presented by people on this. President von der Leyen is committed to peace and wants to see an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. She is also someone who has been a good friend to Ireland on Brexit, and someone who is responsible for saving many lives through the roll-out of the Covid vaccine programme. In response to Deputy Murphy, I am happy to...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Child Poverty (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together. This Government established the child poverty and well-being programme in the Department of the Taoiseach to make sure we prioritise children, and particularly vulnerable children, and to make sure they get a real chance to realise their potential. From Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child Well-being 2023-2025 was published...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs oversees the implementation of programme for Government commitments and considers policy matters relating to the European Union and international issues. The committee generally meets in advance of meetings of the European Council to discuss the agenda for these meetings....

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (18 Jun 2024)

Simon Harris: I am not sure the Tánaiste would. Under our coalition agreement, the Tánaiste will bring a name to Cabinet for consideration. What Deputy Haughey said about the importance of timeliness is a statement of fact in this regard, and I and the Tánaiste share that view. I should say that the process is as the Deputy said. The European Council last night took stock of the European...