Results 181-200 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 49 together. In December 2024 the Department of Defence signed a contract for the delivery of four Airbus H145M helicopters which will provide a modern light-utility helicopter capability for the Air Corps. The aircraft were purchased in accordance with the provisions of the Defence and Security Directive 2009/81/EC. They will replace the present...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised that the exercise referred to by the Deputy was carried out by the Munster Technological University, my Department had no role in this exercise and as such has not been involved in the assessment of same.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Forces have advised that as of the 3 of October 2025 there are 26 female cadets in training, consisting of 18 Army, 1 Naval Service and 7 Air Corps respectively.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Significant progress has been made, in terms of the pay and conditions for Defence Force personnel, particularly over the last six (6) years. Under the current national pay deal, the Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, a further 1% increase in basic pay, as well as allowances in the nature of pay, came into effect on 1 August 2025, and will have a further positive financial impact, for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have advised that as of 31 August 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,502. Figures provided for 2024 and to date for 2025 indicate a stabilisation in numbers. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years. While it is positive that numbers are stabilising,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised that the premises referenced by the Deputy was sold by my Department in 2002. The ongoing need for technical expertise in the Defence Forces is being met by a comprehensive range of training and education. This is delivered both internally and in conjunction with a number of collaborative partners across the Further and Higher Education sector, such as the South East...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have advised me that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) as at 31 August 2025, the latest date for which this figure is available, stood at 7,502 personnel. Government has introduced a number of key enabling measures to drive Defence Forces recruitment. These include increases in the maximum ages of recruitment and retirement respectively, the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have advised that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), as at 31 August 2025, the latest date for which this figure is available, stood at 7,502 personnel. Significant progress has been achieved on a number of fronts in addressing the recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces, and last year saw a stabilisation of the downward trend in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I fully support training cooperation between the Defence Forces and other international armed forces, where it is deemed appropriate by senior military leadership and where resources allow. Such cooperation enables the Defence Forces to train and develop its personnel and maintain the capabilities necessary to enable them to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. In this regard, I am...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: There are currently just under 2,000 active volunteers and probationers in the Civil Defence organisation. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all volunteers, both past and present, for their continuing commitment and service to our communities. My Department is working with local authorities, through the multi-annual Development Plan process, where a key focus is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Emergency Services (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Air Corps operates the Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service based on the 2015 Government Decision. The Government Decision established the EAS service on a permanent basis and provided that it would operate as a daily, daytime only service based out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. Since the commencement of this service in June 2012, the Air Corps has completed over 4554 missions with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The original Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) set out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The most recent iteration of the IDP estimated infrastructure requirements to be in the region of some €359m for the coming years. At the end of 2024 there were over €230m worth of projects underway at different stages of development. This level...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time in 2026 - from 1 July to 31 December. Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are now intensifying across both policy and operational strands of planning both within my Department and the Defence Forces, and across Government. As well as working closely with the Defence Forces, my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: While specific details in relation to current Defence Forces capabilities are subject to normal operational security reporting restrictions, and are not disclosed for these reasons, a key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that capabilities are maintained, developed and enhanced in order that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: It has not been possible to collate the information within the required time frame. I will revert to the Deputy when the information requested is available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The 2025 Naval Service Cadetship competition was launched in March and closed for applications in April. The Naval Service Cadets were attested in September. There are no plans to launch a further cadetship recruitment campaign for the Naval Service in 2025.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: In advance of, and following the publication of the EU's White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030, my officials and I have engaged constructively in discussions on enhancing Europe’s defence readiness. As a continuation of these discussions, the informal European Council on 1 October discussed various matters including the recent violations of air space of Member...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise the Deputy that I am aware of the threat posed by the shadow fleet to critical maritime infrastructure and to the maritime environment from potential pollution incidents. From a defence perspective, the Defence Forces routinely monitor foreign vessels transiting Irish waters with both Naval Service assets and Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft, as well as remote monitoring on...

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: 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....

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: It is always a pleasure to talk to you.