Results 241-260 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: On 4 October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) upheld the ruling of the General Court of 29 September 2021 annulling the Council Decision on the conclusion of the 2018 Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco. This agreement concerned the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland enjoys excellent bilateral relations with Kuwait. My officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade work assiduously to maintain and develop these positive relations through regular engagement and exchange. Ireland’s diplomatic representation to Kuwait is on a non-resident basis via our Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Since the beginning of 2024, my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Regulations (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The implementation of the EU’s plan to offer digital identity to all of its citizens and residents by 2026, under the eIDAS 2.0 regulation, does not fall under the responsibility of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and this question is therefore not a matter for my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has consistently advocated for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Hungary and throughout the world. Our concerns in relation to serious Rule of Law backsliding and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary have been regularly raised, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. Officials in my Department, including...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221, 222 and 233 together. One of my key priorities is the modernisation of our Defence Forces, and revitalising our Reserve Defence Forces is a vital part of that transformation process. The Regeneration and Development Plan contains concrete actions to drive forward recruitment and retention, resourcing, training and education and integration and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223, 224, 232 and 234 together. My key priority is the modernisation of the Defence Forces, and revitalising our Reserve Defence Forces is a vital part of that transformation process. The Regeneration and Development Plan contains concrete actions to drive forward recruitment and retention, resourcing, training and education and integration and deployment....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Government policy with regard to defence spending is defined within the parameters of our national budgetary process and role of Dáil Éireann, with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform & Digitisation setting the macroeconomic context within which Estimates processes are set annually. Within these parameters, officials from my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Vote was provided with a funding allocation of €1,021 million in Budget 2025. This represents an €88 million (9.4%) increase on the corresponding 2024 allocation and saw the Defence Vote exceed the €1 billion mark for the first time. This significant level of funding is facilitating further progress and implementation of a range of recommendations and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Budget 2025 delivered an overall pay allocation of €569 million on the Defence Vote – 56% of the overall allocation. Of this overall allocation, €469 million provided for the pay of an expected year-end Permanent Defence Force (PDF) strength of 7,600 and the induction of a net additional 400 recruits in 2025 - at an estimated cost of €13 million. All related...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Defence has no role in the individual PRSI class of Members of the Defence Forces. The Department of Social Protection makes decisions with respect to the appropriate class of social insurance that applies in the case of a worker. Each case is determined on its own facts subject to the relevant legislative code. In the case of social insurance that is the Social Welfare...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: All eligible RDF activities in 2024 were paid for, reflected in the fact that the original 2024 budget allocation for the RDF was increased by 36 per cent during the year. This additional spending reflected the higher than anticipated levels of activity and a welcome increased interest in the RDF during the year. The original 2024 budget allocation for the RDF was proactively increased in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The service life of an Irish Naval Service ship is determined by the level of operational activity. It is normal practice in a ship’s life to carry out a Mid-Life Extension Programme so as to extend the useful life of a ship to thirty or more years. This programme has recently been completed in respect of the P50 class vessels in service, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have provided the following table that outlines the inductions from 2019 to 2024, as requested. RDF 2019 Inductions 2020 Inductions 2021 Inductions 2022 Inductions 2023 Inductions 2024 Inductions Total 144 69 41 90 66 268 The...

Situation in Gaza: Statements (1 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: No, they do not.

Situation in Gaza: Statements (1 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Deputy Ní Raghallaigh is so wrong. It is disgraceful.

Situation in Gaza: Statements (1 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I have just returned in recent days from the UN high-level week in New York, where the Middle East was a central focus of my agenda. This is a timely debate as we assess the horrendous situation in Gaza and the West Bank and as we look at the implications for wider regional security. I hope that this week's announcement of a proposed peace plan is a step towards a lasting peace that is so...

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

Simon Harris: In my previous answer, I spoke about the sharing of lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process as forming part of our international engagement, including with Israel and Palestine, on bringing about a sustainable peace based on the two-State solution. Ireland has consistently argued that the only just and sustainable solution, for both Palestinians and Israelis, is a two-State...

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

Simon Harris: I remain deeply concerned by reports of attacks on the Gaza Sumud Flotilla and reiterate that no unlawful or violent act should be taken against those involved. Earlier this month I issued a statement alongside 15 other Foreign Ministers to express my concern about the security of the flotilla. Alongside my counterparts, I called on everyone to refrain from any unlawful or violent act...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (1 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Visits to Ireland by foreign Heads of State and Government provide an important opportunity to promote Ireland’s interests and values internationally. They contribute to the development of strong economic, political and cultural links between Ireland and other States. A State Visit is the highest level of official visit by a Head of State from one country to another. Invitations to...

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

Simon Harris: The Government has repeatedly and unequivocally condemned Hamas and its heinous and horrific terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, in which over 1,200 people were killed. The deliberate and systematic targeting of civilians can never be justified. The taking and holding of hostages, including young children, is reprehensible and unconscionable. We continue to call for the immediate...