Results 1-20 of 2,171 for long speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 May 2024)

Simon Harris: ...is also about asking how we can work more closely with the PSNI and the Garda and how we can work more closely on the common travel area with the UK, which we both value. The common travel area has been there for a long time. How do we work together in that regard? We have seen a significant increase in deportations. In fact, 173 people had departed the State under various mechanisms...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (30 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ..., it is helpful to recognise the existence of both states. I would like to recognise Palestine at a time when a number of European states wish to do so but I do not wish to wait around on this for too long. I hope to be in a position to provide an update to the House in the coming weeks.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ...rightly taking the issues being experienced by some of the Deputy's constituents and people in Cork regarding water quality. It also very much highlights an issue we have been trying to highlight for a very long time, namely the need for decent investment plans for water and water quality in this country. We have had those debates in the House previously. I will come back to the Deputy...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 1 - President's Establishment (Revised)
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Revised)
Vote 3 - Office of the Attorney General (Revised)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Revised)
Vote 6 - Chief State Solicitor's Office (Revised) (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ...We have assisted businesses in recent years to remain operating and to ensure our continuing competitiveness, innovativeness and resilience into the future. We are also taking significant steps to increase public capital investment, while establishing two longer-term funds to ensure our corporation tax receipts are available for future investment and to provide for the needs of future...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 1 - President's Establishment (Revised)
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Revised)
Vote 3 - Office of the Attorney General (Revised)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Revised)
Vote 6 - Chief State Solicitor's Office (Revised) (24 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ...by the commission of the time allowed. The interim report also noted that time would be required for the commission to consider all submission it received before completing its final report. Long story short, in view of the apparent advanced stage of the investigation, having fully considered the matter, the then Taoiseach decided to grant the commission's request for an extension of its...

Acknowledgement and Apology to the Families and to the Victims of the Stardust Tragedy: Statements (23 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ...story - the defining story of your lives and the lives of your parents and other family members who left this life before ever seeing justice. I am deeply sorry that you were made to fight for so long that they went to their graves never knowing the truth. Today we say formally and without any equivocation, we are sorry. We failed you when you needed us the most. From the very...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (17 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: Very much so. We have soldiered together for too long for anything else to happen. I am really proud that we have managed to deliver a university for the south east but I am also very much aware that its success or otherwise will absolutely depend on our continued support and investment as it embeds and grows. I am really proud of the progress it has made so far but each of the issues the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (17 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I note the Deputy's long record of leadership in this area both at the Oireachtas agriculture committee and in his life before politics. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, to engage with the Revenue Commissioners on the matter and to get back directly to the Deputy. I am meeting with the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, later this week to discuss a number of the challenges...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ...them the facts. The HSE specifically asked Sinn Féin not to do what it did today in comparing the data. That is the first point. The second point is that wait times and cancellations and how long it takes to see a doctor are all interlinked. What I want people at home, most particularly parents of children with cancer, to know is that they live in a country where the number of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ...in Scotland, they are not worsening. They are not improving just up the road in Northern Ireland but are worsening. They have improved for the past two years here in this country but we have have a long way to go and I fully accept that. The Deputy talks quite rightly about the need for more staff but it is important for the Deputy to acknowledge that since the last general election...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (16 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ...relation to divestment, I welcome the decision that has been taken by ISIF last week. I appreciate Deputy Ó Murchú's comments about not being overly concerned about how these things are done, as long as these things are done. Let me seek a view from the Minister for Finance and I will correspond with the Deputy on that.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (16 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ...the wind guidelines. I am aware that the Attorney General's advice was being sought. I will ask when we should expect the outcome in that regard and revert to the Deputy directly. I learned a long time ago that it is easier to offer Deputy Ó Murchú a meeting than not do so, so I advise Uisce Éireann to follow the same approach. It is important that State agencies be...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ...some positive news on this matter. An interim plan was discussed with the clinical lead at a meeting last week. Hospital management has provided a commitment to finalise a solution to address the long-term staffing-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ...last year. That is a good thing. We have also seen the expansion of the number of apprenticeship programmes. That is also a good thing. The Deputy is right that some people are waiting too long. The numbers are now falling, though, and SOLAS has produced a plan, which I know Deputy Mairéad Farrell will be familiar with, to eradicate the backlog for those waiting longer than they...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies for their contributions. In relation to the EU migration pact, let us be really clear: we will have a very long debate in this House, we will have a vote in this House and there will be ample opportunity for that. For those who are watching in, the motion that is before us today is simply to refer the pact to the committee for scrutiny. That is what we generally do. It...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: Just give me one second. Deputy Verona Murphy has been at this for long enough to know how it works. I do not tell the justice committee what to do. There would be uproar if I started telling the justice committee-----

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ...want to discuss that matter. Similarly, some of the other issues around land use and Shannon, etc., can be explored at the Business Committee. Deputy Shortall raised the important issue of long Covid payments, as well as the importance of that to the workers we applauded in this House. I am pleased to inform the Deputy of our decision to extend those payments for three months.

Ceapachán an Taoisigh agus Ainmniú Chomhaltaí an Rialtais - Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government (9 Apr 2024)

Simon Harris: ...with her and tasking her to continue her momentum of delivering stronger, safer communities by continuing to fast track legislation to give judges new powers to make sure heinous criminals serve long sentences before they can ever be considered for release.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht (Atógáil) - Questions on Policy or Legislation (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Simon Harris: ...the judgment in Belfast. I am aware of his ongoing interest in and work with families and victims' groups here. Obviously, we have only seen the judgment in Belfast in recent hours. It is a very long judgment, running to approximately 200 pages but it seems to be positive. The Government's position on this has been consistent and steadfast. We believe all families deserve justice and...