Results 961-980 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the outset of this dispute, I have always stressed the importance of dialogue. The Government is continuing its outreach and engagement on trade with the US and the European Commission, key EU partners, as well as domestic stakeholders. On Thursday 12 June, I held a positive virtual meeting with United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, including a constructive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Engagement with third-country counterparts is a central part of my work and that of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Such engagement routinely includes exchanges on issues relevant to the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the country concerned. The Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I welcome the complete and immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan that was announced on 10th May and which has been extended indefinitely. It is positive that limited communication channels have reopened between the militaries of both countries and I very much hope that political dialogue between the two nations will start in order to ensure further de-escalation of tensions and a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland’s support for the Government and people of Ukraine is steadfast. This remains a key focus of my Department’s engagements with Ukrainian interlocutors at political level, with the Ukrainian Embassy in Dublin, through the Embassy of Ireland in Kyiv, and at EU and international level where I continue to raise Ukraine as a matter of priority. Foreign Minister Sybiha...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I condemn Russia’s escalation of large-scale aerial attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Recent weeks have seen thousands of drone and missile attacks launched into Ukraine during some of the largest aerial attacks since the start of the war, resulting in high numbers of civilian casualties, and large-scale destruction of civilian infrastructure. These sustained attacks...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR or Naturalisation. FBR, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Since April, most Irish exports to the US have been subject to an additional 10% tariff. The imposition of these tariff has had a negative impact on all types of businesses, from multinational companies to small, medium and micro enterprises. Our position has always been clear: tariffs threaten the hugely successful EU-US and Ireland-US relationships and are bad for business, bad for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department, including our Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad in accordance with its Consular Assistance Charter. The charter sets out the type of assistance Irish citizens can expect to receive should they get into difficulty abroad, including in cases where a citizen has been arrested or faces deportation. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: This House has unanimously supported four all-party motions calling on the British Government to allow access, by an independent international judicial figure, to all original documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. The absence of a substantive response from the British Government to date in respect of those requests is a matter of great concern. I raised this issue with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The boarding of the MV Matthew and subsequent seizure of drugs was a complex operation involving the Joint Task Force, which comprises Revenue Customs Service, the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána. I commend all of those involved for the successful seizure of the ship and building the case that has led to eight people receiving significant sentences in the Courts. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Airport Policy (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade recognises the importance of supporting colleagues to advance on their learning goals relevant to their role and to the wider work of the Department. We support colleagues in our Legal Division and across the Department to further their legal knowledge particularly in areas including Irish, EU, international and employment law.  Between June...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Artificial Intelligence (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department’s approach to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is aligned to the recently published Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service and guidance provided by the National Cyber Security Centre Although the Department is actively exploring the opportunities and policy considerations presented by AI, it has not purchased,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: In accordance with international law, Ireland distinguishes between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967 and ensures that any bilateral agreements with Israel do not apply to the occupied territories. Regarding Ireland’s economic and trade relationship with Israel, the EU's common commercial policy is a matter of exclusive EU...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Significant progress has been made, in terms of the pay and conditions for Defence Force personnel, particularly over the last five (5) years. In addition, under the current national pay deal, the Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, a further 1% increase in basic pay, as well as allowances in the nature of pay with effect from 1 August 2025, will positively affect members of the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and Defence Force Regulations S6 provided for the establishment of Representative Associations for members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). PDFORRA (Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association) represent enlisted personnel. Successive Ministers for Defence engage, on an ongoing basis, with the PDF Representative Associations. Since...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: At the outset, I wish to recognise the outstanding contribution made to the State by our ex-service personnel. In this regard, and in addition to the payment of over €320 million on pensions to over 13,000 ex-service personnel and their dependants, my Department provides support to two recognised Veterans Associations. These Veterans Associations, which represent all former personnel,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Programme for Government (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the military authorities that the Personnel Support Service (PSS) is a team of trained military personnel and occupational social workers located in all Defence Forces installations in the state and providing support to all personnel deployed overseas. The blend of trained and experienced line NCOs and Officers, with the skills and perspectives of civilian social workers,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that the Defence Forces have established a new Joint Cyber Defence Command. This new Command will be able to conduct full-spectrum operations to robustly defend against cyber threats, support Defence Forces operations at home and overseas, and enhance national cyber defence resilience and contingent capabilities. Following the establishment of this Unit, a Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Civil Defence-Towards 2030 Policy document was published in 2020 and set out the 10-year strategy for Civil Defence. The document re-confirmed the central strategic objective for Civil Defence - to support the Principal Response Agencies in a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations. The document also reconfirmed the five core services to be provided by Civil Defence, including...