Results 661-680 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Union (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: As Minister for Defence, one of my priorities is to ensure that the Defence Forces’ operational capabilities are maintained and developed to allow them carry out their roles at home and abroad, as assigned by Government. I particularly welcome the recently announced increase in capital funding allocated to defence in the National Development Plan for the period 2026-2030. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Union (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The SAFE (Security Action for Europe) instrument, which entered into force on 29 May 2025, is an EU instrument designed to provide financial assistance to Member States and support their urgent public investments in defence industrial production, aiming to increase production capacity, improve the availability of defence products, and address capability gaps, particularly by engaging in joint...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Union (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The SAFE (Security Action for Europe) instrument, which entered into force on 29 May 2025, is an EU instrument designed to provide financial assistance to Member States and support their urgent public investments in defence industrial production, aiming to increase production capacity, improve the availability of defence products, and address capability gaps, particularly by engaging in joint...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: A High Level Planning and Procurement Group (HLPPG) comprising of senior civil and military management of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, and an associated Working Group meet on a monthly basis which provides a joint civil and military forum for oversight and approval of expenditure and to ensure that expenditure is profiled and monitored on an ongoing basis. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Legal Cases (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 327 to 332, inclusive, together. The following sets out the different circumstances where external legal fees are incurred by my Department. (1) My Department works with the State Claims Agency (SCA) in relation to the defence of delegated personal injury claims made against the Minister for Defence. The SCA manages and provides legal representation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Further to the Deputy's recent question on this matter, I can confirm that officials from my Department are continuing discussions with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, the owner of Dún Laoghaire Harbour, regarding the possibility of leasing berthage for exclusive use by the Naval Service. The Naval Service have also been engaged with technical experts from the local...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 363 together. Figures provided by the military authorities for 2024 and to date in 2025 indicate a stabilisation in the strength. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years while discharges were at their lowest in four years. Interest in a career in the Defence Forces is very strong and grew significantly in 2024...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: As Minister, 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. Across Europe, all countries are experiencing an increasingly contested, dynamic and volatile international security environment. There is a need for us to be seen to take our own security...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Vote Group allocation for 2025 has increased by €243 million (22%) since 2022, when the Government approved the Commission Report. In addition, following the recent review of NDP multi-annual allocations, the Defence capital allocation will increase from its previous baseline by €600 million (55%) over the 2026-2030 timeframe. This increased defence capital...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Since my appointment on 23 January 2025 as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, I have taken the opportunity to visit a number of Defence Forces installations and I have signalled my intent to formally visit Casement Aerodrome in the coming weeks. The number of occasions previous Ministers for Defence have formally visited Casement Aerodrome since 2020, as requested by the Deputy, are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Each year, the Air Corps receives a number of invitations and requests to participate at Airshows at home and abroad. Participation at Airshows is a worthwhile endeavour, with many relationships forged and knowledge shared at such events. At all times, any request for Air Corps participation in overseas exhibitions are subject to domestic operational commitments being met. Given the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: As the table below indicates, the military authorities have advised that there is presently one qualified female pilot within the Air Corps. They have further advised that there are six females currently in training to become qualified military pilots. The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: At the outset, I wish to reassure the Deputy that the safety and security of Irish personnel serving in UNIFIL remains of paramount importance to myself and to Government and is central to the planning and execution of all operations and movements in the UNIFIL Mission Area. The Defence Forces utilise a dynamic and iterative threat assessment process which examines and analyses the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is working to deliver Ireland’s first-ever National Maritime Security Strategy, which will aim, amongst other things, to enhance our maritime domain awareness and to protect our critical maritime infrastructure, in particular our critical undersea infrastructure. A public consultation on the national maritime security strategy was launched on 12 June. The purpose of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Forces routinely monitor vessels within the Irish EEZ, utilising both Naval Service and Air Corps assets. In addition to at-sea patrols, the Naval Operations Command Centre in Haulbowline carries out remote monitoring of the Irish EEZ on a 24/7 basis. All vessels transiting Irish waters must do so in compliance with international law. Any vessels present in our EEZ may be...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Union (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department has not engaged directly with the European Commission on the specific matter of funding for this company and notes that it is not participating in any EDF-funded project involving Irish entities. Ireland‘s participation in the EDF aligns with the country’s policy of military neutrality and focuses on projects that match national priorities, such as dual-use...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: European Union (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The SAFE (Security Action for Europe) instrument, which entered into force on 29 May 2025, is an EU instrument designed to provide financial assistance to Member States and support their urgent public investments in defence industrial production, aiming to increase production capacity, improve the availability of defence products, and address capability gaps, particularly by engaging in joint...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: There are three bodies under the aegis of my Department; the Army Pensions Board, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, established pursuant to the provisions of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004 and the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces (EOB), which was placed on a Statutory basis on 1 December 2024. The civil servants...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy may be aware that since the 1990s, the long-standing policy has been to withdraw from the provision of married quarters for serving personnel. This policy approach remains reflective of the State’s move away from the historic provision of tied housing for State employees. Single living-in accommodation is provided for transient operational and training use and by its nature...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Procurement Contracts (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is committed to best practice implementation of EU and national procurement legislation and guidelines, including in the procurement of military equipment. To ensure alignment with these regulations and requirements, my Department has established a number of governance mechanisms, including a High Level Planning and Procurement Group. My Department closely monitors...