Results 201-220 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: There are a couple of things there. These are all important issues. On the medical evacuation of children from Gaza, we are fully committed. Genuinely and truthfully, there is an absolute commitment. We have committed to four groups of children. Two have come already and two more are due. The original ask, for the want of a better phrase, was one child accompanied by one parent or...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: They have not.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Those are two distinct issues. For medical evacuations, we are not saying it is one plus one. There has not been a one plus one scenario. Twelve children have arrived. In a one plus one scenario, that would mean the arrival of 24 people. More than 40 people have arrived so far through that programme. I do not want to be too argumentative on a sensitive issue but there must be rules...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Sure, absolutely.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I very much appreciate the context. Let me be very clear: the Government intends to progress with this legislation. I also have an open mind about services. Both of those situations remain factually true and very clear in my mind, and clear in the view of the Government. However, as an Oireachtas we want to pass legislation fully informed, with our eyes wide open. That is why it is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: First, I appreciate the Deputy's acknowledgement that Ireland is the first country that is doing it. That, in and of itself, is interesting, in that there is not another country in the European Union that has published any draft legislation on that. Now, weeks on from when we published our legislation, with goods or services, they have not produced any legislation. That is interesting in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): International Relations (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The very short answer is that we will. Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East. This remains a major priority for the Government and, I know, for the people of Ireland, who are rightly repulsed by what they see happening, particularly in Gaza but also in the West Bank. Ireland’s engagement is guided by our long-standing and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): International Relations (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: There are a couple of things there. First, the Deputy is right; quite a few like-minded countries may well consider looking at what we have done here and introducing their own domestic legislation. What I was trying to say in response to the last question is that we are in contact with quite a number of European countries that are inquiring as to our legislation, and I hope others will join...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire for again raising this issue which, as he said, he rightly raised at the Oireachtas committee in recent weeks. The Government remains deeply concerned by the conflict and the real humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Since April 2023, the situation has continued to deteriorate and the consequences are now clearly devastating. It is estimated that over 14 million...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The first thing to say is that we will at least match the level of humanitarian aid to Sudan this year that we provided last year. We have already provided €7.7 million this year. We provided €14 million last year and we will at least match the €14 million this year. That is an additional commitment from the Government to do more with regard to help for the most...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I am not certain whether we have raised them directly, or not with those individual countries, but we have certainly raised them through the European Union. I would point out that we now have an EU special representative for the area, Dr. Annette Weber, who is doing very excellent work. We raised Sudan at the most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. The Minister of State, Deputy...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Gibney for the question. As she will be aware, the Government carried out an extensive analysis and review of the occupied territories Bill 2018, as it was then, late last year. The Government’s analysis, shared with the Oireachtas at the time, was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the provisions of that Bill in order to bring it in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I have not had engagement with anybody recently on the new Bill but given the significant level of public interest in it, several international partners, including the United States and a number of European and like-minded countries, have expressed an interest in the Bill and the Government’s approach more generally. My officials have engaged with them on the matter, including...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 66 together. The Government has been consistent in the pursuit of accountability for Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. This includes the accountability of the Russian leadership responsible for the crime of aggression. Ireland is one of 38 states, plus the EU, in the Core Group for the establishment of a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: As this House will be aware, the Government carried out an extensive analysis and review of the Occupied Territories Bill late last year. The Government’s analysis was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the provisions of that Bill in order to bring it in line with the Constitution and to try to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures. On...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 60 and 71 together. The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, recent developments in the global trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements. EU FTAs support more opportunity for trade and investment, help support jobs and growth at home,...