Results 1,841-1,860 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ireland's Recognition of the State of Palestine: Statements (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I first thank the Ceann Comhairle for his words of leadership in this matter, which I wholeheartedly endorse. Last Wednesday, with the Tánaiste and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, I announced that Ireland, alongside our partners in Spain and Norway, was recognising the State of Palestine. Today, the Government gave formal effect to that decision, and now Ireland has formally...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, tells me it was raised with her last week, I think, in the Seanad. It is an issue the Government will look at. I am conscious, regardless of where the responsibility lies, that it is a real frustration for people. In the run-up to the budget, let us see if we can address this. I will ask the Minister for Transport in the first instance for a review.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: We intend to invest more in roads, the TII and local authorities including in Cavan and Monaghan.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I expect news very shortly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Costello for raising this matter. I believe this matter falls within the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, in the Department. I will talk directly to the Minister of State and come back to the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I know Deputy Madigan has had a long-standing interest in this issue and I thank her for raising it. I am eager that any outstanding issues in the programme for Government are advanced and progressed. I am sure the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, is working on this. I will get an update from her for the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Pringle for raising the issue. I am sorry I do not have information to hand on it but I will ask the Minister to answer the Deputy's question directly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: It is a very sensible suggestion from Deputy Cahill. I will convey it to the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and ask him to revert to the Deputy. The next big thing on which we all need to unite and pull together is making sure we maintain the derogation. The first step in Ireland's national effort regarding that is the European elections on Friday week when we need to elect MEPs who...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Andrews for raising the issue regarding the Irish Glass Bottle site. This is an issue which the Minister, Deputy Ryan, has also raised. I will ask the Minister for housing to come back to the Deputy directly on the point he made around the affordable and social housing on the site.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Stanton for raising the issue. I can hear the frustration in his voice on behalf of his constituents in east Cork. I will ask both Uisce Éireann and the Minister for housing to come back to the Deputy and me on this matter.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Smith. I look forward to a full debate on the report of the Housing Commission. I appreciate the practical point the Deputy makes about things that could be done quickly. As he says, social housing support income levels and income levels for other schemes have been increased. We need to be alert to any kind of poverty traps where people trying to work find themselves...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy knows, we have taken two measures already, namely, the higher stamp duty rate and the planning changes brought in by the Ministers, Deputies McGrath and O'Brien, respectively. We are continuing to keep this under review. That is what we voted on in January. I said we would continue to examine it. My party also put it in our manifesto yesterday for the local elections....

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have no knowledge in relation to that but we are acting as a Government. We are taking practical actions on a constant basis to support humanitarian aid, to try to bring about a ceasefire and peace, to recognise the State of Palestine, to work at a European level in relation to the association agreement and to recognise that the best way for peace for Israel and Palestine is a two-state...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Berry for raising this issue. I will raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and ask him to revert directly to the Deputy.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I get a chance to speak too, if that is okay. I do not think he supports reference rents, incentives for landlords or any private investment fund.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: There are 83 recommendations. The Minister has published our view on each one of them.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Maybe the Deputy will do the same in relation to his. We can certainly have that debate but there was a lengthy debate on Housing for All in the House as recently as last week. Unfortunately, some Deputies decided to adopt a position on the report before they read it. To respond to Deputy McGrath, I have never known someone who is against something-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: Deputy Boyd Barrett, the Taoiseach is responding to Deputy McGrath.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have just answered. We are not having another a debate this week. We had one last week. We have lots on the agenda this week. If the Deputies want to schedule it for the Business Committee, they should go for it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 May 2024)

Simon Harris: I have never known anybody to be as enthusiastic about wanting something to come back into the House to vote on, which he is so vehemently opposed to. I have never known somebody so eager to have the Government table something for adoption which he wishes to reject.