Results 1,741-1,760 of 45,373 for speaker:Simon Harris

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...

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

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire. I will. I am aware of that recommendation from the commission and the importance of the issue that the Deputy highlighted. I will certainly ask the Minister for housing to respond to the Deputy formally in respect of it, but I will also see what we can do in the forthcoming budget.

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

Simon Harris: I am sorry. I was not talking over the Deputy. Rather, I was talking to the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, on this important issue to get the most up-to-date information. The short answer is “Yes”. It is our intention, and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler’s intention, to implement that recommendation in the programme for Government. This week, I will meet...

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

Simon Harris: I will meet them. I will not be able to meet them tomorrow, so I do not want to mislead them, but if the Deputy wants to contact my office, I am happy to arrange to meet them with him and other Oireachtas colleagues from Cavan-Monaghan. I am aware of the issues that the Deputy and other Deputies have raised in the House. Perhaps I will ask the relevant Ministers to attend as well. We...

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

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Stanton very much for raising this important issue. The Government remains very supportive of free trade and free trade agreements. Obviously, the Government needs to reflect on the court’s ruling. I will ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke, to revert to the Deputy directly in terms of timelines, as I am not across that matter.

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

Simon Harris: I instinctively agree with the Deputy. I know this causes a lot of issues in many constituencies and counties, including my own, where there is someone who is willing and able to drive the bus but is told that, because of an arbitrary age on his or her birth certificate, he or she cannot drive the bus. It is offensive to those individuals and is problematic for our constituents who are...

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

Simon Harris: My thanks to Deputy Shanahan for raising the issues in respect of University Hospital Waterford. My understanding is that 96 additional beds have been announced in the past three years for the hospital, and rightly so. They are needed in Waterford and the wider south east. Specifically regarding the stroke issue the Deputy raised, I will raise it with the Minister for Health. I will...

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

Simon Harris: As is perhaps fitting from a Green Party Deputy, that was the most accurate tribute I have heard to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. He is a good politician and an even better man. That is certainly my experience. I am conscious that today is a difficult and challenging day for the Green Party – it always is when there are moments of transition – and I wish the Deputy and his...

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

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Cairns for her kind words for the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and I congratulate her on her own good news. I know everyone in this House is genuinely delighted for her and for Barry and we wish them all the very best. It is nice to have good news in this place too. I thank her for raising the very important issue relating to the Women’s Aid report and the work relating...