Simon Harris
Wicklow · Fine Gael · Ireland
“There are more than 10,000 routes and thousands of buses involved and the number of students using the services is not a million miles away from 200,000. The current terms of the scheme are going to continue to apply for the 2026-27 school year.”
“I thank Deputy McDonald for raising what is genuinely an important issue. I do take the point that when we talk about this in the abstract or from a process point of view in here, that for people watching this is their real lived experience.”
“There number of children who have been supported by means of the school transport scheme, as Deputy Fitzmaurice knows and has alluded to, has grown significantly in recent years. Since 2018, the number increased from 120,000 in 2018 to more than 181,000 now. Included in that figure are 24,000 pupils with special educational needs.”
“I knew the Deputy would have to mention the GAA, especially with Galway and Limerick playing at the weekend. I wish everybody involved the best of luck. We are very committed to the school transport scheme. If the Deputy wants to see our commitment, he should look to our budget.”
“An ageing population, increasing healthcare needs, the transition to net zero and the need for continued investment in housing, energy and infrastructure will place a significant demand on public resources.”
“There is also a legitimacy to the point the Deputy made about how it is a legitimate form of transport for some people. We see this working in other European countries. We see it in our nearest neighbours. I do not want to get the regime wrong, but I think they have registration at the point of purchase that allows people to track this.”
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“We clearly set out our strategy for the public finances based on a set of core principles, which included increasing public sector investment to address infrastructural deficits, including using windfall receipts; building up our long-term savings funds - there used to be a time when everyone in this House wanted to spend the rainy day funds, but that would have been imprudent and it is important that we build up those saving funds - running budget surpluses; and maintaining a broad tax base with the postponement of income tax changes in the case of economic headwinds. That is what the programme for Government says in black and white. Our strategy on the public finances has served this country well to get us to this juncture. We are one of the few governments in Europe in a position to deliver an expansionary budget.”
“All households gain by an average of, I believe, 1.1% but those who have the least gain the most. Our commitment to the Irish people in the programme for Government and the preceding election campaign was to provide stability, deliver progress, secure Ireland’s future and never take our economic well-being for granted.”
“Their detention is illegal and international law has to matter in relation to this issue, too. I am pleased to have the opportunity to commend budget 2026 to the House. I believe it is a budget that strikes the right balance between meeting the economic challenges facing our country, protecting our economy and jobs, delivering more homes, improving access to vital public services like health, education and disability services, and supporting families and children who need the most help. I have heard much commentary on the budget over the past day, as one would expect, but I would refer people to the budgetary documentation, which clearly shows that those who have the least gain the most from this budget. That is the definition of a progressive measure. It is there for all to see. The lower two deciles gain the most.”
“From there, they will likely be brought to a detention facility south of Tel Aviv. This is likely to take up most of the day. Let me be clear. It is my priority and that of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Government to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens. Our officials on the ground have been in contact with the Israeli authorities regarding the next steps and will make arrangements to visit those citizens as soon as possible. I will endeavour to update the House as soon as is appropriate. I assure Deputies that all efforts are being made to make contact with the citizens to ensure their safety and well-being. These individuals are part of a peaceful flotilla seeking to highlight the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe and genocide in Gaza. They pose no threat to Israel and should not be detained.”
“It would feel wrong to rise to my feet and not take the opportunity to update the House on the ongoing illegal detention of five Irish citizens in Israel, including one of our own colleagues in this House, Deputy Heneghan. Overnight, a second flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli authorities. It was carrying five Irish citizens, including Deputy Heneghan. I want to inform the House that I have been briefed on the situation this morning by our Irish ambassador in Tel Aviv, H. E. Ms Sonya McGuinness. I was also in contact with Deputy Heneghan’s office this morning to brief it. Similar to the interception of a separate flotilla last week, we now expect that all those detained, including Deputy Heneghan, will be transferred to the Port of Ashdod for processing.”
“However, we need to not lose the essence of who we are and what public service means, in particularly, but also that businesses do not deprive themselves of customers who want to still be able to access services in a way that works for them. I look forward to the new refreshed national digital and AI strategy. I will also, as per Deputy Moynihan's suggestion, ask that ComReg take a look at this from a telecom providers point of view.”
“I agree with all of that, and I will ask the Minister for communications to make the point Deputy Moynihan to ComReg. I can say, as a relatively young person that there is a place for technology, but sometimes you just want to be able to talk to a human being. There are some things that AI and other technologies cannot do yet at least. Emotional intelligence is quite important as well. Sometimes it can be a hell of a lot quicker to have a conversation with someone and sort it, rather than half a dozen messages to a chatbot. There is definitely a balance with regard to this. There is a direction of travel. We are living through a major time of evolution and some good will come from that.”
“The charter for digital inclusion commits to a number of actions to try to make progress there. I suggest that we take this and the suggestions from Deputy Moynihan forward in our new, refreshed national digital and AI strategy. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Burke, and the Minister of State, Deputy Niamh Smyth, to engage with the Deputy on the framing of that.”
“Getting that feedback and listening to our citizens, and from a company's point of view, listening to its customers, is important. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has introduced a new charter focused on AI and digital literacy and SME digitalisation. This represents the implementation of a key measure under what we call the digital for good initiative, which emphasises the importance of access and affordability and ensuring that all citizens can have equitable access to digital technologies and the opportunities they bring. When we talk about digital exclusion, what we are hearing more and more from people is that it is not about a lack of devices or a lack of access to the Internet, though that can sometimes be the issue, but that it is about lacking the skills to use them effectively.”
“The Government is encouraging a digital first, but not a digital only, approach from businesses, as some citizens like to have different options. It is important even in my Department, with our passport service. So much is now done online but there will always be some people, certainly for the time ahead, who may not wish to do it online. That is okay too and we need to support them in that. Having said that, there is growing consumer demand for digital accessibility. Companies and public services are responding to those customer and citizen demands. Digitalisation has played a major role, as the Deputy says, in driving efficiencies for business, improving productivity, for marketing, selling online, and accessing new markets, but equally important is customer service and meeting customer and citizen expectations. There is a balance.”
“It can be quite a scary and frightening time of transition for people if they do not feel they have the skills to transition, or indeed the option, if they do not wish to transition, to continue to access their services in a way that is convenient and works for them. We are planning to update the national digital and AI strategy. A new, refreshed version of that is due by the end of the year. I will ask the relevant Ministers, Deputies Burke and Niamh Smyth, to take on board the Deputy's suggestions about that and the good work that has been done by Age Action Ireland, which the Deputy referred to as well. I know this is an issue that faces so many of our citizens. It is vital that, as we shape Ireland's digital future, we do not leave people behind.”
“I thank Deputy Moynihan for his kind words about the officials in my Department and the work that they are endeavouring to carry out, particularly those in Israel, Ramallah and in the region, and indeed our consular services here in Dublin. I am grateful for all they do and appreciate the Deputy's words. I join him in expressing our sincere sympathies and condolences to those affected by the most horrific murder and killings outside a synagogue in Manchester. It is a horrific situation and we all deplore and condemn it. We think of all those affected. I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, as we see more and more things move online, that we do not lose sight of the fact that we need to bring everybody with us.”
“Yes, it is. The Deputy has the benefit of having slightly more information than I do since I have come into this House. Irish citizens having absolute access to legal representation is important. My understanding from my earlier call with our ambassador and others was that a number of our citizens had already identified potential sources of legal representation on the ground.”
“I very much get what the Deputy is endeavouring to do here. I say that in a constructive sense. He is trying to reflect the genuine concerns that people have across our country and the wish that everybody has to play every possible role they can in using every lever at their disposal. I am not against the principle of that at all but I have not truthfully considered or read the Bill in full. It is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Burke. I will ask the Minister to engage with Deputy Smith about the purpose of the Bill.”
“I do not wish to engage in any act of provocation. My priority in the here and now is the well-being and safety of our citizens. I am happy to come back to the House and engage. Once I further develop my thoughts, I will come back on it.”
“As the Deputy can imagine, because this is an evolving situation, I have not had the chance to discuss this with Government colleagues and the likes. I also want to take this sequentially. Step one is the well-being of our citizens, seeking their freedom and to get them back home, and the very intensive work my Department and our individuals on the ground are undertaking in the here and now. I have said in the statement last month with 14 other countries that there should be accountability for any illegal actions taken against the flotilla. I very much value international law. I am already actively exploring, with other European counterparts, if there is an appetite for a number of European countries to seek accountability for this under international law. I do not think it would be useful today for me to go further in relation to this.”
“I was satisfied, beyond doubt, that our citizens had the same access as Spanish citizens would have, for example, to what was effectively a European ship. The Deputy's point is fair. I have already spoken to my Spanish counterpart this morning and I intend to speak to many more counterparts during the course of today and tomorrow. I will take the Deputy's idea away and see if we can build on it.”
“Yes, I am. It should be done in a way that is European in the sense that sometimes, it just makes more sense if there are a number of European countries. Certain countries can have vessels in the area, etc., and speed can sometimes be of the essence, so yes, I am. I do not wish to speak for other countries at all but my understanding of the purpose for the presence of some of those vehicles was in case the need for evacuation became real. God forbid, had something happened in terms of the well-being of citizens from attacks on the vehicles, it was about having that evacuation capacity. I was given an assurance that should that requirement be there, our citizens would be treated the same as any other European citizens as regards access to those vessels.”
“The Taoiseach made the point at the UN General Assembly, in delivering the national statement, that we want to make sure Ireland also puts in place exclusionary measures from our country for extremist Israeli ministers. Obviously, we are not in the Schengen area so there is a different way we have to do it compared with how many other European countries did it. My understanding is the Department of justice is leading on this and that there are advanced discussions between my own Department, foreign affairs, and the Department of justice. A solution or a way forward is imminent. What the Taoiseach rightly said is that we want to make sure the same restrictions on travel apply in this country as will in other countries.”
“I will answer the question but first, Deputy Bacik asked a question about the number of Irish citizens. I want to give the House the best information I have. When I came into this House, we had confirmed that 14 Irish citizens have been detained. I am aware that there are 16 Irish citizens in total but one of them may be a dual citizen so I think that might be where the 15-16 issue arises. I am reluctant to give that commitment to Deputy Smith but not out of a lack of urgency around the occupied territories Bill. I am just conscious that the House goes into recess. I am conscious of budget week and that it is now October but I will work with Opposition parties and spokespeople to try to agree a timetable to advance this Bill. I am happy to do that with the Government Chief Whip. We do want to move this forward.”
“While there is not a specific date for the Bill, because obviously that is not how our legislative programme works, it is on the legislative programme for now. I am eager to move it forward as quickly as possible. I will meet with the sponsor of the original Bill next week and then I will revert to the House. I can tell the Deputy we are open to considering all legal avenues that currently exist in relation to any wrongful use of Irish airspace. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, has been pursuing that matter.”
“I do not want to go further than this currently, but in the statement I issued with 14 other countries, I said that there does have to be accountability under international law for the actions that have been taken by Israel. I have begun conversations with counterparts and will have further conversations to detect if there is an appetite, which I hope and believe there is, to consider how a number of countries could pursue this. I will keep the House informed on this as I develop a policy and as I engage further with Government colleagues here in Ireland too.”
“I join with Deputy Tóibín in condemning the outrageous slurs on our citizens in relation to any reference to Hamas. Our Irish citizens are people in the pursuit of peace and on a humanitarian mission to try to bring food and medicine to a starving population. I agree with the Deputy in condemning that horrific slur on our citizens. That should not be stood for. I appreciate what the Deputy said about the work of my Department. Our priority today, tomorrow and in the period ahead has to be the well-being of our citizens who are currently in detention in Israel. That has to be our priority. It always has to be the priority of the Department of foreign affairs, when our citizens are detained wrongly abroad, to try to help and assist them and support their families.”
“I absolutely assure the Deputy that we will do that. We will work with our European counterparts, as I said in the statement issued by Ireland and 14 other countries, to see what options are available internationally in seeking accountability in relation to this flotilla.”
“Yes, I do. It is one of the reasons Ireland has tried to be proactive on the issue of the genocide in Palestine. There is always more that can be done. I accept that. The international community in general has been far too slow and far too negligent. That would be the view in this House. I take the point that there is more we can do and I engage in that constructively. It is the reason Ireland moved ahead and recognised the State of Palestine a year ahead of many other European countries, which did it last week. It is the reason we have provided additional funding to UNRWA and the World Food Programme. It is the reason we have been leading the call for the review of the Israel-EU association agreement. It is the reason we are looking for an early European meeting to go through those sanctions.”
“They are getting trickles, nowhere near enough, with that additional funding to try to get food into a starving people. While the flotilla had a relatively small amount of aid, and I do not say that to be flippant, the symbolism of trying to get aid in and showing the blockade is hugely important and I believe it is something that people right across this country support.”
“The most disgusting and despicable thing is that the famine is happening when, as the Deputy alluded to, there is food nearby. I heard from a UN agency last week that children are having amputations without anaesthetics. It is hard to say that, let alone think about it. There are amputations without anaesthesics because Israel will not let the medicines and anaesthetics into Gaza. Mary Robinson, our former President, told me at the UN last week that she had visited the Rafah crossing and seen warehouse loads of food, a lot of it funded by the Irish taxpayer and other European taxpayers, and the only reason it cannot get in is Netanyahu. Yes, we will not stand idly by and we have used our voice at the UN and the EU. We have also invested in the UNRWA and the World Food Programme with additional funding.”
“I know that Deputy Collins is one of the people who suggested, with Independent Ireland, that we should have a debate on the all-party flotilla motion this week. It proved to be very constructive in being able to tease through some of the issues. That was raised at the Business Committee. I agree with the Deputy in relation to famine. There is something in our DNA and in our gut in this country. Through our history of an Gorta Mór we know what that is like. It is in the DNA of the people in this country and that is why we feel particularly repulsed in Ireland when we see famine conditions. It is now not just our words, the Deputy's words or my words. It is now an international finding of fact that there is famine in Gaza.”
“On the issues regarding sanctions or measures on trade, I do not believe they will require primary domestic legislation if we can get a qualified majority vote at a European level and my priority will be to secure that in the days ahead.”
“I thank Deputy Healy. I would hazard a guess that there is not been a parliament in Europe that has dedicated more time this week to the issue in the Middle East, though the Chief Whip can correct me. We had a debate on the Middle East for many hours yesterday. We have had the all-party motion and debate regarding the flotilla. We have changed Standing Orders today in a very rare step to suspend normal Leaders' Questions and Questions on Policy or Legislation, QPL, to discuss the situation. All of that is appropriate considering the gravity of the situation. The Government will work with the Opposition, of course, to ensure we expeditiously pass any legislation that we bring forward in relation to the occupied Palestinian territories.”
“Deputy Murphy and I do not agree on lots of things but I do acknowledge he has joined flotillas and has a lot of experience in relation to these things. I welcome those insights he has shared with me and I assure him I will support not only our ambassador and our team on the ground in Tel Aviv but in providing any resources or assistance they need to keep the pressure on for the well-being of our citizens. Considering there are now likely to be hundreds of citizens, and, indeed, citizens from the European Union, detained, it is really important in the hours ahead that we work together to maximise that pressure in terms of the welfare of our citizens. Yes, I agree that they have been illegally detained.”
“I am very happy to answer questions on broader issues than the flotilla but the Deputy can be assured that the entire night and day has been dedicated to trying to protect Irish citizens who are currently detained in the State of Israel and get them home as quickly as possible. That is where my focus is today and has been right throughout the night. Regarding the airspace issue, the Minister for Transport has made the Government's position clear. That remains the Government's position and I will seek an urgent update from him in relation to that. There are complexities regarding these things but they are issues of legitimate public concern in our country and they are issues of concern to Government. If there is an ability to take action, we are very happy to take that action.”
“I certainly do not want to see investment in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories, much like I do not want to see trade with them. My understanding is that the Minister has set out the legal position in relation to how that fund operates. I will ask him to provide the Deputy with further information because he has policy responsibility in this area. The Minister for Finance has outlined to the House the commercial position in relation to this on many occasions.”
“The Minister is looking at all the various legal options that are there. I hope that when I next come to this House to set out the need to invest more in defence, security, radar and sonar, we will not be accused of militarisation but will be accused of actually having a better understanding of what happens in our skies and seas.”
“My colleague, the Minister for Transport, is currently investigating a number of issues and reports that were brought to his attention in relation to that. There is a very significant logistical issue in terms of what happens in skies well above our territory. The Minister has received a number of issues that were brought to his attention. He is pursuing that and I will ask him to provide an urgent update to the Deputy.”
“It is on the Government's priority publication list for this term. It will be brought forward in this term. I do not want anyone to misinterpret what I am saying here. I am committed to passing the occupied territories Bill, to working with the committee and on an all-party basis, and to considering the pre-legislative scrutiny report which my officials have been doing. I am telling the Deputy, hand on heart, if alongside that we can get these European trading measures passed, which is where the bulk of my effort is, it will be much more significant in ending the genocide in Gaza. That is not a reason not to do the Bill - we will - but it is where the focus also has to be.”
“They would not have arrived in time. Other countries had boats in the region. I welcome the new interest in investing in our defence and security capacities but other countries had boats in the region that were willing to treat our citizens as their citizens. That is European solidarity.”
“I truthfully do not. The facts bear that out. Türkiye, Italy and Spain sent boats. It was not as though their citizens were treated in any way better or preferentially in relation this. European boats were present and available to our Irish citizens in the same way they were available to other citizens of the European Union. We have been working in lockstep with European counterparts in relation to that. That is my genuine view on it.”
“I refer to our team in Tel Aviv and in the region more generally, and to our consular services. I am satisfied they have been doing a very good job. On sanctions, I agree with the Deputy on trading, but it is an EU competency. I am ready vote. I am ready to vote in favour on the Deputy's behalf and behalf of the people of Ireland for the measures put forward by the European Commission that I believe would have a significant effect. I personally led a diplomatic effort to seek an early meeting so we could have that vote. Four other European countries have joined us in that. After the events of the past number of hours, I will be intensifying those efforts further.”
“We very much appreciated that solidarity from Spain. Second, and I do not say this to be anyway disrespectful to our Spanish counterparts, but they had a boat observing in the region and all their citizens have been detained in no different way from our citizens. It was always the ship's intention to withdraw. My understanding from reports this morning is that the Spanish and Italian Governments called for their citizens to desist and come back on the flotilla. I do not believe it would have made any material difference. However, I wish to say, not in the defence of myself or the Government but out of respect for the people in question, that a team of people have been working on this matter extraordinarily intensively on behalf of Ireland and our diplomatic corps.”
“I join the Deputy in expressing my sincere sympathy and absolute condemnation in relation to what has happened at the synagogue in Manchester. The information is still developing as we are in this House, but I understand that two people have now died. Today is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur. That adds to the horror of an attack and brutal murder outside of a synagogue. I send the solidarity of everyone in this House and across the country to all of those impacted and to the Jewish community. In relation to the issue of the observer situation, we looked at this. However, a number of things came to pass. First, there was a Spanish boat in the region. The Spanish were clear that our Irish citizens would be treated the same as theirs if there was a need to have access to that boat.”
“I am available today to vote on these proposals. There is an absolute onus on the European Council and the institutions of Europe to convene and allow member states to show where they stand and let history show where they stood in relation to these measures that could have a significant economic impact and help Netanyahu to change his calculus in relation to the genocide.”
“Of course I will. As the Deputy knows well, Maroš Šefčovič agrees with that. That is why at the College of Commissioners, President von der Leyen put forward proposals and proposals were adopted. I am not in any way getting involved in politics today on this, but the problem is no longer that the European Commission is not bringing forward proposals; it is that member states are failing to vote in favour of implementing those proposals. We now have significant proposals that would do exactly what the Deputy suggests around trade. I believe they could make a significant difference. I believe they could make a greater difference than any sovereign act any one of our parliaments in the European Union could take. What needs to happen is that member states, including Ireland, need to have an opportunity to vote on them. I have petitioned this.”
“I was in the United Nations, meeting with Arab leaders and Arab nations who worked extraordinarily hard on that peace plan. It is a plan that has been endorsed by many countries in the region. I hope that all parties, Israel and Hamas, now accept a peace process, end this horrific genocide and release the hostages.”
“I want to pursue that matter directly with the High Representative, Kaja Kallas, today. I have sought a call with her. I have been in contact with her too. It is really important that the European Union makes it known to Israel that we expect the rights of European citizens, including Irish citizens, to be respected. I have been in touch with Deputy Heneghan. I spoke to him either yesterday or the day before. I will continue to keep in contact with him. We cannot lose sight of the reason all of these people are on the flotilla, which is there is a humanitarian catastrophe and a genocide. The best way for Israel to stop the flotilla is to end the genocide. The best way to end the genocide is to agree to a peace plan. I have heard the peace plan represented as President Trump's peace plan.”
“I say this very respectfully: I am very open to hearing suggestions from across this House and from all parliaments about what actions they believe the Government should be taking that we are not. In recent days people suggested that we join the Spanish ship, for example. I do not say this to be in any way disrespectful to Spain, with whom we are working very closely, but last night the Spanish ship withdrew and Spanish citizens were detained. They have not been treated any differently, better or afforded any degree of greater protection than Irish citizens. I am concerned that the European Union has made absolutely zero comment to the very best of my knowledge, unless it has happened in the past few minutes when hundreds of European Union citizens are detained.”
“Yes, we recognise the State of Palestine. We are now one of more than 150 countries globally to do so. I think Deputy Ó Laoghaire understood me, but I have been very clear in the statements I have issued on behalf of the Irish Government with 14 other European countries that international law matters, it has to be upheld, and there has to be accountability. What I am saying very much mirrors what my Spanish counterpart said in recent hours, which I discussed with him, that there is an important sequencing to this. When Irish citizens are detained abroad, priority number one has to be the welfare and well-being of those citizens. I know the Deputy does not, but nobody should take that as saying I do not believe there should be accountability or the pursuit of this matter under international law; I do.”
“Yes, I do. I spoke with my Spanish counterpart this morning in relation to this. The full answer I should give is that we are determining all of the facts at the moment in an evolving situation. I am very clear that peace activists trying to highlight a humanitarian catastrophe and bring aid to the people of Gaza were apprehended and detained by Israeli authorities. As I commented earlier, and in a statement issued with 14 other European countries in recent days, we will consider all actions available under international law to seek, first, information and, second, accountability for this action. Today should not be a day about me or anybody in the Irish Government doing anything provocative, it should be about trying to prioritise the well-being and safety of our citizens. That is my first priority.”
“I do not yet know the decision individual citizens will make on that, but we will provide all consular advice and assistance to people in that regard. People will be afforded the opportunity to sign a waiver form to say, "I want to leave Israel immediately", or to go before a deportation court. Under Israeli law, my understanding is that is meant to happen within 72 hours.”
“The first priority is the Irish citizens who are detained and the absolute priority alongside that is to keep their families informed about any information we have. We are working closely with the families and trying to keep the lines of communication open. I have shared all of the information we have available and I and my Department will continue to do so. It is an evolving situation. My understanding, having been briefed again this morning by our ambassador, is that once people are brought to a detention centre, they have to be brought before an Israeli deportation court within 72 hours. They are afforded an opportunity to sign a waiver form to waive that period and ask to leave Israel with immediate effect.”