Results 501-520 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (17 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: In discharging the fundamental responsibilities of the Executive as set out in the Constitution, the Government’s engagement in international security cooperation is aimed at ensuring public safety and is conducted with full respect for Irish sovereign decision-making authority and for Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality. In discharging these...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (17 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have advised that as of 30 July 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,540. As the Deputy is aware, in July 2022, Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2) as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (17 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The following are the current capital works projects completed and underway at Casement Aerdrome Projects completed2025 - Modular Accommodation, €1,998m2024 - Main Technical Stores, €0.9m2024 - Hangar 3 Automated Doors, €1,355m2023 - Roof Lighting Hangar 3, €0.299m2022 - Runway LED Lights, €047m2022 - Watermains upgrade, €1,161m2021 - Replacement of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (17 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Recruitment and retention of Air Traffic Control personnel at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, is an ongoing challenge. This workforce is highly specialised and well-trained with skill sets that can be directly applied in the commercial aviation sector. The global shortage of air traffic controllers, together with the challenges of recruiting and retaining these personnel, is well documented....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (17 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Following an operational decision taken by the military authorities earlier this year to restrict operational flight activity at Casement Aerodrome to a 5 day week (12 hours a day) service, I am advised that Air Traffic Control is now operational on a 7 day a week basis 12 hours per day (0800 – 2000). In parallel with a number of HR initiatives I have approved since that decision,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (17 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have advised that as of 30 July 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,540. Significant progress has been made on a number of fronts in addressing recruitment and retention challenges, and 2024 saw a stabilisation of the downward trend in numbers. There have been a total of 350...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 14, 15, 19, 73 and 87 together. The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, the increasing uncertainty in the global trading environment has highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements (FTAs). EU FTAs support more opportunity for exports and investment, help...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 77, 78 and 79 together. The Joint Statement on an EU-US Framework Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade was published on 21 August. That deal confirms a single, all-inclusive 15% tariff on EU goods, including current Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rates. EU goods will therefore be subject to a 15% ceiling tariff except where the MFN rate is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The Joint Statement on an EU-US Framework Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade was published on 21 August. That deal confirms a single, all-inclusive 15% tariff on EU goods, including current Most Favoured Nation (MFN) rates. EU goods will therefore be subject to a 15% ceiling tariff except where the MFN rate is higher. However, the Joint Statement also includes a lower...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Correspondence (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 20 and 21 together. Written correspondence, including emails, addressed to my office in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is managed using the eCorrespondence application which is delivered by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). When an enquiry is received by the Tánaiste’s Office, staff create an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Equipment (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department's main telephone line is attended at all times and does not feature a voicemail service. Although voicemail is available for internal telephone extensions in the Department, it has never been deployed on the main number.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 27, 31 and 47 together. I was delighted to announce the arrival in Ireland of 52 Palestinians following an operation to support their departure from Gaza on 27 August. I am pleased to confirm that the individual referred to by the Deputies was among those supported to come to Ireland. My officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I remain gravely concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and ever-rising number of civilian casualties. My Department provides consular assistance in accordance with its Consular Assistance Charter and while it is limited in the assistance it can provide to non-Irish citizens, we have worked to find practical ways to help people in Gaza. It should be noted...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has issued guidance as to the principles that will be applied by Irish authorities when considering (i) whether a child is an Irish citizen, and (ii) who the child's legal parents and guardians are, for the purposes of dealing with applications for travel documents on behalf of children born outside the State as a result of surrogacy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service does not have any plans to expand the back page of the passport book, which provides space for an emergency contact to be inserted. It is open to passport holders, or the parents/guardians of a passport holder, who wish to add a second  emergency contact entered on the back page of their passport to enter in the additional details beside the existing details. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The Middle East region is experiencing a period of significant instability with multiple crises, many of which are interrelated. The catastrophic and further deteriorating situation in Gaza and the deeply concerning situation in the West Bank remains a central focus of my engagement with my EU and other international counterparts. I am also acutely aware of the extremely high level of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service is successfully responding to demand, and has issued over 700,000 passports to date this year. Passport applications are being issued at, or well ahead of, their target turnaround time and there are no backlogs. With regard to the Deputy's question, the table below provides the advertised turnaround times as well as the average turnaround times for online applications...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The Windsor Framework plays a crucial role in protecting the all-island economy and has provided certainty and clarity for businesses and people living in Northern Ireland, as well as ensuring the integrity of the EU Single Market. The latest trade statistics show clear momentum in the all-island economy with evidence that supply chains across the island are increasingly integrated....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (8 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, and received submissions representing a range of views and perspectives. This Pre-Legislative Scrutiny is an important part of the legislative process....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not own or lease any properties within this jurisdiction. The Office of Public Works is responsible for all accommodation utilised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade within the state.