Results 361-380 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Neutrality (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: To be clear on this Ukraine issue - I never wished to accuse the Deputy of this but there is an effort to be a bit mischievous here - there is no question whatsoever of Irish troops being deployed to a war or playing any role in anything other than peacekeeping. We live on the Continent of Europe and I believe we have an obligation to assist in peacekeeping on our Continent should that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Neutrality (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: It is possible in that scenario that the UN Security Council, because Russia is on it. The Deputy does not know that and I do not know that. However, it is also possible, in answer to Deputy Clendennen's question, that we could see a scenario more broadly - and I am not talking about Ukraine - where EU countries may wish to deploy peacekeepers, where the OSCE may wish to deploy peacekeepers...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Neutrality (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I accept the point the Deputy is making on the UN Charter's reference to the UN Security Council. However, I think the principles of the UN Charter matter. I am happy to tease out that legislation. It may suit Members to try to divide us further on this issue but what we are trying to do is a modest proposal. We are trying to produce primary legislation that makes it clear we are only...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: -----the largest overseas peacekeeping mission we are involved in? Where are we going to send them?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: We are going to be sending them on peacekeeping missions that are consistent with the UN Charter and the approval of the Government and the approval of the Dáil. I do not understand-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The triple lock-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: -----requires the UN Security Council.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy was late to my initial remark. I am very happy to have a conversation with Deputies Murphy, Gibney and Ó Laoghaire about how we can strengthen within the legislation references to the UN Charter. I even have some ideas I am happy to discuss with them about how we can oversight mechanisms in making sure anything our peacekeepers go on is consistent with the UN Charter. That...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: In the current manifesto-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The leader of Fianna Fáil, the Taoiseach of the country, was very clear in his views on the triple lock.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: He proposed it when he was Minister for Defence. I have been crystal clear with regard to it as well. We had an election and formed a government. We do not need to run back to the people to have a referendum on every issue. We are very clear, and I believe the majority of people in this country trust their own democracy and certainly not Russia's as to where our peacekeepers go.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy as one of the few Members who has worn the uniform and represented our country with distinction in Óglaigh na hÉireann and indeed in southern Lebanon. She is someone who can speak with authority on a lot of these issues. I thank her for raising the matter. She will be aware that there has been significant progress made on pay and conditions for Defence...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that this matter was raised with the Department by military management and that business case was subsequently shared with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. The Representative Association for Commissioned Officers, RACO, has also raised it with the Department on a number of occasions during its formal conciliation...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge the point the Deputy made. The men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann, those who serve our country and wear the uniform, do absolutely serve with distinction. I am extraordinarily proud of them and the honour they bring here, at home and abroad. I know that is a sense shared across this House and certainly across society as well. I thank RACO and PDFORRA for the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I agree with Deputy Gibney that it is absolutely the Government's intention to bring about a change in terms of how we deploy our troops overseas. I am quite clear on that. Where we disagree is how we see that. I see it as entirely possible to do that while respecting being a militarily neutral country. I have spoken to many of my counterparts in countries that are militarily neutral,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Firstly, I agree with the Deputy's characterisation of what happened at the UN Security Council, which I believe is accurate. We did work very hard and I particularly commend the French, who held the pen in trying to come up with a compromise solution. There was a real risk that we would have seen a withdrawal of peacekeeping troops in some sort of chaotic manner from southern Lebanon. I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I know it is the left and the far left but Deputy Gibney is well able to speak for herself and it is her question. Switzerland follows international law very well. Does anybody doubt the neutrality of the Swiss? They do not have a triple lock. Does anybody doubt the neutrality of Austria? They do not have a triple lock. This is trying to whip up a frenzy. I have heard it: "Simon Harris...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Where are we going to send the peacekeepers if we are reliant on the UN Security Council providing a peacekeeping mission? Where are we going to send Irish peacekeepers, considering it has not supported any peacekeeping missions since 2014 and has now effectively ended-----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Pension Provisions (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I am sympathetic to the broader point the Deputy is making and I certainly extend my thanks and that of the State to the individual for their service with distinction in our Defence Forces. Neither the Deputy nor I were around in the seventies or eighties but my note tells me that, at the time, detailed information was provided and there were extensive briefings. There was meant to be that...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Pension Provisions (18 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I am very happy to do that.