Results 1,761-1,780 of 45,495 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Bodies (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I will start with that issue. The short answer on that is that I agree. I met with ICTU last week at the Labour Employer Economic Forum. It is not for me to speak for the unions but it is fair to say this was a very pressing issue for them. They are right to be. It is important that when unions are good enough to come to the table, some of the issues they highlight as a priority do get...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Bodies (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I will raise that and particularly the issues it raised with the Deputy about some of the changes it needs. I am happy to revert in writing. On Deputy Barry’s question, yes, I would encourage a company to take seriously the recommendations and findings of an OECD body and a national contact point as well. I will make inquiries with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Bodies (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: No-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Bodies (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: -----because the Government’s intention was always to allow for every cent of funding to go into the health clinic in the west quad, including a number of new schools in TU Dublin. That is separate and distinct to the work we are doing with many other public sites and the extra capital that we put into the Land Development Agency. The Deputy has a different view from me on whether...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Bodies (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: However, the Land Development Agency is delivering a number of projects on public lands. It is unfair to suggest that the DIT buildings were ever intended for anything other than the purpose of providing funding for TU Dublin.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Bodies (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: How would the Deputy plug the hole? That might be for a longer conversation but the situation is that those funds are required for a number of projects in TU Dublin on what they call the west quad.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Bodies (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I would also point out that the decision has only been made in relation to not transferring to the Land Development Agency. What actually happens with the site in terms of ownership and the provision of housing, should it be housing, and the composition of that is a matter for further planning applications and so on. There has been a jump and a presumption that either there will be no...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Bodies (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: No, the Government made a decision on Part 9 of the Land Development Agency Act. That is entirely correct. Respectfully, there would not be a Land Development Agency if it was up to the Deputy because she does not believe in it.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Bodies (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: That is okay too. I am not saying that there cannot be future housing development on that site and as part of a planning permission for that site that cannot involve social and affordable housing. They are genuinely different points. Deputy Murphy raised the apartment and duplex defects scheme. I need to get him a note on that because I do not have the information to hand. My...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Child Poverty (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 to 18, inclusive, together. I was delighted to host the child poverty and well-being summit on Thursday, 23 May in Dublin Castle. I welcomed the former UK Prime Minister and Chancellor, Gordon Brown, who shared what he had learned from his experience of reducing child poverty rates in the UK in his keynote address. My colleague the Minister for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I will do my very best. It seems the question about when the Government co-ordination committee meets is just a jumping-off point. I will do my best to answer a variety of important questions. First, as to Deputy Boyd Barrett's question, I will certainly ensure there is a response issued to that organisation which has written to me on behalf of family-owned nursing homes around the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I did.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I raised the Middle East on a number of occasions with President von der Leyen. I spoke to her again over the weekend specifically on funding for the Palestinian Authority. Fundamentally, President Von der Leyen's view gets misrepresented. She is in favour of an immediate ceasefire, she has increased humanitarian aid, she believes in a two-state solution, she believes-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I do not agree with the position of the European institutions on the association agreement because it needs to be reviewed. That requires the courage of European prime ministers and presidents to join with me and the Spanish Prime Minister in making that call.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I respectfully disagree with Deputy McDonald on that. I will continue my work in speaking up for the Palestinian people. They, their President and their ambassador to Ireland know that. Deputy Wynne raised the Ukrainian refugee situation at Loop Head and the relocation of those refugees. I will ask the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to come back to the Deputy on this issue. The Deputy has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Bodies (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 15, inclusive, together. The National Economic and Social Council, NESC, advises me on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Ireland. NESC is currently working in four main areas. Throughout 2023, NESC engaged in a programme of activities to mark its establishment in 1973. This is an...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: In response to Deputy Collins on Shannonvale and the need for the sewerage scheme, I will make immediate inquiries and will revert to the Deputy. I thank him for raising the issue.. I fully agree with Deputy Mac Lochlainn on the point that the Common Fisheries Policy rules should apply without fear or favour to fishermen, trawlers and to everything of all sizes, regardless of size. I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cabinet Committees (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination generally meets in advance of Government meetings and its next meeting is scheduled for 8 July 2024. I am a member of the committee, with the Tánaiste and the leader of the Green Party. The Secretary General to the Government, my chiefs of staff and chiefs of staff for the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: In that vein, let me take the question as one about school supply in Dublin South-Central. I thank the Deputy for raising a number of schools, including Our Lady of Hope School and Setanta Special School, the need for Gaelcholáistí in Dublin 8, 10 and 12, and the need for a secondary school more generally. I will raise each of these issues with the Minister, Deputy Foley....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Jul 2024)

Simon Harris: I am very much aware that, at what was a very difficult time in our country and the world, many people in Ireland worked extremely hard to save lives. I am very proud of a lot of the work that was done during Covid. However, it is very important that, after any pandemic, there is a look-back, there are lessons learned and there are answers provided. We are reflecting on the terms of...