Results 601-620 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together. My Department has worked with the Office of Public Works to identify a new office building in Cork for the Cork Passport Office. Based on current timelines, the new Passport Office will be operational at Navigation Square, Cork City by Autumn 2026. The public offices of the Passport Service in Cork and Dublin 2 operate an Urgent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Irish passport is a critical document confirming Irish citizenship and granting visa-free access to 189 destinations worldwide, currently ranking third in the Henley Passport Index. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommend periodic passport redesign and enhancement of security features to maintain the document’s security. With the current design of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: On 17 January 2024, the Government filed an inter-state case against the United Kingdom with the European Court of Human Rights. In its application, the Government argues that certain provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are incompatible with the United Kingdom's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. The President of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Following negotiations in Scotland on 27 July, the EU and US reached a deal on reciprocal trade. This deal means that the higher tariffs that had been threatened will not now take effect and that the EU will not impose its own countermeasures. This deal provides much needed certainty for Irish, European and American businesses who together represent the most integrated trading relationship in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. My Department, working closely across Government with other relevant Departments and the State agencies, works consistently to support Irish businesses in international markets. My Department in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has developed an Action Plan on Market Diversification,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and continues to urge all parties to do everything possible to support efforts underway to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal. My Department, including Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I am aware that members of a European Parliament delegation undertaking an official programme were refused access to Israel. Lynn Boylan MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Palestine, has written to me about the experience of the delegation. My officials raised this matter with the EU Delegations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. I would note that arrangements for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 133 together. 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. As the Deputy is aware, although not a member of the Hague Group, Ireland was represented in an observer capacity at official level at the recent meeting of the Group in Bogota, as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 78 together. Responsibility for the regulation of foreign aircraft landing or overflying the State is shared between Departments. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has primary responsibility for the regulation of foreign military and state aircraft, while the Minister for Transport leads on regulation of civil aircraft. Under the terms...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Sanctions (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 81, 99, 106, 111, 112 and 144 together. The Government has repeatedly called on Israel to lift fully its blockade of humanitarian and commercial supplies for Gaza, and to allow the immediate, unimpeded resumption of humanitarian aid, in line with humanitarian principles. The current limitations on the volume and distribution of humanitarian aid are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I, and my Government colleagues, have repeatedly and consistently made clear, in public statements, at EU and international meetings, and in this House, Ireland’s horror at the catastrophic humanitarian situation, the withholding of urgently-needed humanitarian aid and assistance, the spectre of hunger and starvation that now affects a growing portion of the population and the attacks...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, recent developments in the global trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements. EU FTAs support more opportunity for exports and investment, help support jobs and growth at home, maintain strict EU standards on food safety, animal and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to ensuring that we build on the recent progress made in the relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom. The UK remains a key partner for the European Union and a strong and positive relationship is beneficial for Ireland. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for a joint review by the UK and European Union of the implementation of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: At its meeting on 20 May, the EU Foreign Affairs Council agreed to a review of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland and Spain called for this step in February 2024. I welcome that the review of Israel’s compliance with its obligations under Article 2 has now been finalised. It is clear from the review that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: To date in 2025, the Passport Service has issued more than 615,000 passport books and cards. The Passport Service is responding well to demand during the busy summer period, with virtually all complete passport applications being processed within or well before advertised turnaround times. Over half of adult renewal applications are processed within 2 working days. As of 23 July 2025, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Global Ireland 2025 was launched by Government with the aim of doubling Ireland’s impact globally by 2025. Under the strategy, Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly with the opening or announcement of twenty-seven new missions. In March 2024, five new diplomatic missions were announced. They are embassies in Belgrade, Chisinau and Sarajevo; and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports and is very well staffed to meet the current level of demand. To date this year, the Passport Service has issued over 615,000 passport books and cards. The Customer Service Hub is responding to almost 12,000 phone and webchat queries per week. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens is a cornerstone of the work of my Department. DFAT officials, including in our Embassies and Consulates in the United States, place a strong emphasis on ensuring that Irish citizens receive timely and empathetic consular assistance. While I would note that United States immigration policy, and the application of that policy in the US...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade). There are no agencies under the aegis the Department. My Department complies with the guidelines and circulars issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation on official travel. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together. Intensive and constructive work has been ongoing since last autumn, at both official and political level, between the Irish and British governments to determine if we can find adequate common ground to move forward together on legacy. I have been clear that the UK Legacy Act, as it stands, is not fit for purpose. In addressing the...