Results 2,221-2,240 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 201 together. Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East which remains a priority for this Government. Ireland’s engagement is guided by our longstanding and principled position, notably respect for international law, respect for the equal right to self-determination, peace, security...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has consistently condemned the gross, widespread and systematic human rights abuses by the Taliban across Afghanistan, particularly against women, girls and individuals from marginalised communities. My commitment and that of the Government to this issue, and particularly the systematic gender persecution now being perpetrated by the Taliban against women and girls in Afghanistan, is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service. Passport Online is a user-friendly, efficient service that is currently issuing the vast majority of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has long history of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. With an unbroken record of service in UN peacekeeping since 1958, Ireland has contributed to a range of UN missions across the world. Just recently I had the honour to visit our troops stationed in Lebanon and saw first-hand the vital role they are playing with UNIFIL, where many thousands...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Israeli-Palestine conflict, including developments in Gaza and the West Bank, continues to be a central focus of my international engagement. The immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing hostilities to an immediate end and for all parties to return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, including the release...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service is successfully responding to the current level of demand for passports and Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications. Over a quarter of a million passports and almost 10,000 FBR certs have been issued to date this year. While demand for passports and Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) has increased significantly over the past decade, my Department has made it a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 178 together. The urgent need to address the conflict in the Middle East remains a priority for Ireland. The immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing hostilities to an immediate end and for all parties to return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal. Our focus must also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, attended the General Affairs Council on Tuesday 18 March, where Ministers had an exchange of views on EU-UK relations ahead of the first EU-UK summit, which is scheduled to take place on 19 May. Ministers received a briefing on the state of play in EU-UK relations from Commissioner Šefčovič. Discussion...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: All States have a legal obligation to prevent genocide. The International Court of Justice has clarified that this is an obligation of conduct, not result, and that a State’s obligation in any given case will depend on its capacity to influence effectively those whose actions may lead to the commission of genocide. The Court recognised that this capacity to influence itself depends...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland supports the important role that UN Special Procedures mandate holders play in the international human rights system. Their work contributes to the development of international human rights standards and helps to raise public awareness on human rights issues. My officials and I will continue to defend the important role undertaken by all such mandate holders. Ireland regularly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne attended the General Affairs Council on 18 March 2025. Ministers firstly prepared the agenda of the European Council taking place on 20 March which included Ukraine, European defence, the Middle East, competitiveness, the Multiannual Financial Framework, migration, oceans policy, and multilateralism. Minister Byrne...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: High-level political engagement with the US administration continues to be a priority for the Government and many topics of interest are raised in bilateral meetings. However, there has been no contact from the US administration or the White House at a political level with me or my Department on the question of the Triple Lock.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Bodies (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice delivered an Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. The Court’s principal conclusion was that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory was unlawful and that it must be brought to an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The situation in Israel and Palestine is a priority for this Government. The immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing hostilities to an immediate end and for all parties to return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal. I condemn the resumed Israeli airstrikes and ground operation in Gaza, which have brought...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The re-scheduled Presidential elections in Romania will take place later this year, with the first round to be held on Sunday, 4 May 2025, and the second round to be held two weeks later on Sunday, 18 May 2025. The results of the first round of the original Romanian Presidential election, held on 24 November 2024, were annulled by Romania’s Constitutional Court on 6 December, following...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland strongly advocates for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ people throughout the world, including in our relations with Hungary. Ireland has consistently raised our concerns in relation to serious Rule of Law backsliding and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. We also regularly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland's commitment to supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against ongoing Russian aggression remains steadfast. We have consistently reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s independence, and the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity outlined in the UN Charter. Ireland’s total committed support to Ukraine since the launch of the full-scale invasion...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The development and implementation of initiatives that encourage connectivity and engagement with the European Union, particularly for school students, is clearly of significant value. Such initiatives provide students with unique opportunities for personal and academic development while creating greater awareness and understanding of the EU and Ireland's role in it. These initiative also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Anti-Racism Measures (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The decision to endorse the non-legally binding IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism followed detailed consideration over a number of years within the Department of Foreign Affairs and consultation with relevant Government Departments. All relevant information was taken into account in making this decision, including voices critical of the definition. We have viewed with concern,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Since taking office, I have met and spoken with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on a number of occasions, and we have established a very cordial and productive working relationship. Officials from my Department are also in ongoing contact with officials in the NIO and in the Northern Ireland Executive, and we have a number of channels of communication for discussing any...