Results 1,141-1,160 of 46,197 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service is successfully responding to the current level of demand for passports and Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications. Over a quarter of a million passports and almost 10,000 FBR certs have been issued to date this year. While demand for passports and Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) has increased significantly over the past decade, my Department has made it a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 178 together. The urgent need to address the conflict in the Middle East remains a priority for Ireland. The immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing hostilities to an immediate end and for all parties to return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal. Our focus must also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, attended the General Affairs Council on Tuesday 18 March, where Ministers had an exchange of views on EU-UK relations ahead of the first EU-UK summit, which is scheduled to take place on 19 May. Ministers received a briefing on the state of play in EU-UK relations from Commissioner Šefčovič. Discussion...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: All States have a legal obligation to prevent genocide. The International Court of Justice has clarified that this is an obligation of conduct, not result, and that a State’s obligation in any given case will depend on its capacity to influence effectively those whose actions may lead to the commission of genocide. The Court recognised that this capacity to influence itself depends...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland supports the important role that UN Special Procedures mandate holders play in the international human rights system. Their work contributes to the development of international human rights standards and helps to raise public awareness on human rights issues. My officials and I will continue to defend the important role undertaken by all such mandate holders. Ireland regularly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne attended the General Affairs Council on 18 March 2025. Ministers firstly prepared the agenda of the European Council taking place on 20 March which included Ukraine, European defence, the Middle East, competitiveness, the Multiannual Financial Framework, migration, oceans policy, and multilateralism. Minister Byrne...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: High-level political engagement with the US administration continues to be a priority for the Government and many topics of interest are raised in bilateral meetings. However, there has been no contact from the US administration or the White House at a political level with me or my Department on the question of the Triple Lock.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Bodies (1 Apr 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 (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The situation in Israel and Palestine is a priority for this Government. The immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing hostilities to an immediate end and for all parties to return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal. I condemn the resumed Israeli airstrikes and ground operation in Gaza, which have brought...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The re-scheduled Presidential elections in Romania will take place later this year, with the first round to be held on Sunday, 4 May 2025, and the second round to be held two weeks later on Sunday, 18 May 2025. The results of the first round of the original Romanian Presidential election, held on 24 November 2024, were annulled by Romania’s Constitutional Court on 6 December, following...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland strongly advocates for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ people throughout the world, including in our relations with Hungary. Ireland has consistently raised our concerns in relation to serious Rule of Law backsliding and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. We also regularly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland's commitment to supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against ongoing Russian aggression remains steadfast. We have consistently reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s independence, and the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity outlined in the UN Charter. Ireland’s total committed support to Ukraine since the launch of the full-scale invasion...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The development and implementation of initiatives that encourage connectivity and engagement with the European Union, particularly for school students, is clearly of significant value. Such initiatives provide students with unique opportunities for personal and academic development while creating greater awareness and understanding of the EU and Ireland's role in it. These initiative also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Anti-Racism Measures (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The decision to endorse the non-legally binding IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism followed detailed consideration over a number of years within the Department of Foreign Affairs and consultation with relevant Government Departments. All relevant information was taken into account in making this decision, including voices critical of the definition. We have viewed with concern,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Since taking office, I have met and spoken with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on a number of occasions, and we have established a very cordial and productive working relationship. Officials from my Department are also in ongoing contact with officials in the NIO and in the Northern Ireland Executive, and we have a number of channels of communication for discussing any...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I am very concerned by recent developments in Türkiye, including the arrest and detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, along with other public figures, members of the press and civil society representatives. Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have raised these concerns directly with senior Turkish officials. As a member of the Council of Europe, and an EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has changed the European security environment dramatically. Considered analysis of existing threats by our European partners is based not only on the experience of Ukraine in Europe, but of recent hybrid attacks on EU countries. These include attacks on critical infrastructure like transport and energy, cyberattacks and electoral interference. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (1 Apr 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 for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is only provided where the strict conditions set out by my Department are fully met, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland is fully committed to preserving outer space as a safe and secure global commons for the use and benefit of all. Ireland will continue to advocate for global norms and rules governing human activity in space, in accordance with international space law. Ireland remains committed to the 1967 UN Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.