Results 521-540 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: The protection and promotion of universal human rights is one of Ireland’s core foreign policy priorities. This includes the right to religious, linguistic and cultural freedom. The Government regularly raises concerns regarding human rights with China, both in bilateral meetings as well as in the appropriate international fora. I raised Ireland’s long-held concerns...

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

Simon Harris: 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 Deputy was among those supported to come to Ireland. My officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including diplomats in Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Turkey, have...

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

Simon Harris: The integrity of the Irish passport is the foremost priority of the Passport Service. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport is currently ranked third in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access...

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

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is working with all Government Departments to finalise the proposed list of Presidency meetings and events for inclusion in the official calendar of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July to 31 December 2026. A high-level Presidency calendar, setting out the dates for meetings of the European Political Community,...

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

Simon Harris: I am committed to working with my European and Ukrainian counterparts to maintain our solidarity with Ukraine and to ensure Ukraine gets the support it needs to defend itself against Russian aggression. This remains a key focus of my engagements, both bilaterally and at the EU. Ukraine features prominently on the monthly agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council. We are regularly joined by...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland enjoys strong political, cultural and economic ties with Canada. Last year, Ireland celebrated 85 years of diplomatic relations with Canada, which has provided a strong foundation for trade between our two countries. The economic relationship is thriving on both sides of the Atlantic. Canada is a key export market for Ireland, particularly for our indigenous exporters, with more...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland’s economic relationship with Japan is strong and growing, and trade and investment between our countries has more than doubled in the past decade, especially since the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) entered into force in 2019.   Japan is Ireland’s second-largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region with annual two-way trade in goods and...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland enjoys strong trade relations with Poland. Bilateral trade has grown strongly, particularly since Poland’s accession to the EU, and in 2023, two-way trade was over €8.5 billion. Since 1996, foreign direct investment in Poland by Irish companies is estimated at approximately €3.2 billion. Over 100 Irish companies have a full-time presence in Poland, including...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland, along with our EU partners, adheres to a One China Policy. This means that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and that we recognize the People's Republic of China as the legal representative of China. However, this does not preclude the development of economic, cultural, and people-to-people connections with Taiwan; nor the meaningful participation of Taiwan in relevant...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland has an excellent bilateral relationship with Iceland. In February this year, I had my first meeting with the new Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir en marge of the Munich Security Conference. My Department maintains regular diplomatic contacts with Iceland, primarily though our Embassy in Oslo, Norway, which has been accredited to Iceland on a...

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

Simon Harris: As the world’s sixth largest economy and our closest neighbour, the UK continues to be a crucial market for Irish companies. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Ireland was over €124 billion euro in 2023 – the latest year with both good and services data available. Cross border trade with Northern Ireland also continues to thrive. InterTradeIreland...

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

Simon Harris: Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East which remains a major 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 and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and...

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

Simon Harris: Since the start of this crisis, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and immediate dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave.  My Department is aware of the deaths of two Irish citizens in Gaza since October 2023. One Irish citizen was also killed in Israel during the 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks. I...

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

Simon Harris: My Department is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and administers a number of funding schemes including those that fall under Ireland's official overseas development programme, Irish Aid.  Funding has been provided to organisations in County Louth for projects within the headings of: Development Education,...

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.

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. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times. Certain passport application forms for applicants resident in Ireland are required to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána. Approximately, 17% of...

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

Simon Harris: The UN High Seas Treaty is formally known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, or more commonly referred to as the BBNJ Agreement. The BBNJ Agreement, in broad terms, aims to close significant gaps in global ocean governance by providing a...

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

Simon Harris: In relation to the recruitment process that is currently underway for the position of PA to the Consul General and Consular Officer in the Consulate General of Ireland in Miami, I have asked my officials to write to you to provide you with the information requested once the recruitment process has concluded.