Results 261-280 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: Ireland’s position in relation to Hamas is clear. Ireland has repeatedly condemned Hamas and the brutal terrorist attacks it carried out on 7 October 2023. These actions are unconscionable. Ireland has consistently called for all hostages held by Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza to be immediately and unconditionally released and we will continue to do so. The deliberate and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together. I am fully committed to the implementation of 35 recommendations contained in Mr. Ward’s Report, which were accepted in their entirety. Since publication of the Report, my officials and the military authorities have been working on taking the recommendations forward. Early on, having consulted with the Office of the Attorney...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. There were 130 recommendations in total, comprising 69 main recommendations, with 61 further sub recommendations. The Commission recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: A key priority for the Tánaiste 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 deployment. The conditions under which reservists are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: As Minister for Defence, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. The Commission on the Defence Forces recommended in its 2022 report significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covers high level Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (1 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. Significant progress is being 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...

Global Sumud Flotilla: Motion (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: We have already arranged it.

Global Sumud Flotilla: Motion (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I move: That Dáil Éireann: condemns the attacks by Israel on civilians and human rights activists including Irish citizens participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, seeking to deliver aid to the beleaguered and starving population of Gaza; demands that: — no action is taken by Israel that endangers the welfare or safety of peaceful Irish citizens and other human...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Travel Documents (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the start of the crisis, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and their immediate dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave. My Department has also supported the evacuation of other Palestinians seeking support from Ireland, including students, medical evacuation patients and individuals with work offers in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Travel Documents (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the start of the crisis, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and their immediate dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave. My Department has also supported the evacuation of other Palestinians seeking support from Ireland, including students, medical evacuation patients and individuals with work offers in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. The 2008 Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, under which Irish citizenship may be obtained by birth, by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 202, 205 and 208 together. On 19 September, together with Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I announced publication of an agreed Joint Framework on the Legacy of the Troubles. The Joint Framework sets out a comprehensive package aimed at providing truth and accountability for victims and families who lost loved ones during the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department operates a large global network for ICT services. As part of digital transformation, some of these services are delivered using cloud technology. The specific costs for Microsoft Azure cloud storage elements in the years requested are: YEAR COST 2020 N/A 2021 N/A 2022 N/A ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: On 24 June, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade held a number of hearings on the General Scheme, and received submissions representing a range of views and perspectives. Pre-Legislative Scrutiny is an important part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I am deeply concerned by recent reports of attacks on the Gaza Sumud Flotilla and reiterate that no unlawful or violent act should be taken against those involved. With this in mind, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: On 28 May 2024, the Government decided to formally recognise the State of Palestine as a sovereign, independent State, within the territory defined by the 1967 borders referenced in UN Security Council resolution 242 (1967). Our recognition of Palestine was a concrete step, taken along with trusted international partners. Since then we have been working closely with Arab and Gulf...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I am 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. With this in mind, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) published a Cloud Computing Advice Note in 2019, with an update published in May 2025, to help public service organisations understand matters to consider relating to cloud computing services. My department follows this advice and is making use of a range of cloud services. The total spend on cloud services from 2021 to 2024...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that the Department of Defence does not utilise, nor has it purchased, any products developed by the companies Cognyte or Verint Systems in the last seven years.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (30 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: A key priority for the Tánaiste 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 deployment. The conditions under which reservists are...