Results 1,241-1,260 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together. Ireland is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and views it as the cornerstone of the international system of criminal justice. We will continue to work with our international partners, including within the European Union, to support the ICC in fulfilling its mandate. I am aware of an official visit by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department’s Blended Working policy for staff in Ireland is framed within the context of the broader Civil Service Policy on Blended Working. All officers who avail of blended working are required to attend the office at least 50% of the time, over a four-week period. The specific arrangements of individual work patterns are agreed locally as part of the Blended Working...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The Naval Service Vessel Renewal and Replacement Programme includes various projects to upgrade, replace or purchase new equipment, including the replacement of Naval Service Reserve motor launches. This project is included in the rolling Equipment Development Plan for the Defence Forces which encompasses a programme of sustained equipment procurement/acquisition across the Army, Air Corps...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise the Deputy that the United Nations (UN) regularly makes general requests for additional personnel to be made available to their missions in the area of mine clearance, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and disposal of explosive remnants of war. The Defence Forces has built up considerable experience and expertise in the field of EOD and Counter Improvised Explosive Device...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The Volunteer and Equipment Management System (VEMS) was rolled out for Civil Defence in July 2023. Training continues to be provided to new and existing Civil Defence Officers and Assistant Civil Defence Officers by the Department and as part of peer-to-peer training. This ensure inputs to the system are timely and relevant. VEMS has proven to be an effective tool for both Civil Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (19 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: In line with the Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations, my Department launched its Blended Working Policy in late October 2022. Staff availing of blended working are required to attend the office on a minimum of 2 specific days each week as agreed with their manager. Employees can apply to avail of blended working through the centralised online application system...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (17 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government Trade Forum, established in February 2025 and chaired by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, comprises relevant Government Ministers, State Agencies, business organisations, trade union and other representative groups and was set up to facilitate engagement with key domestic stakeholders on latest and emerging trade developments and opportunities. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (17 Jun 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, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (17 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I refer the Deputy to the reply to PQ31536/25.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended. Section 7 of the 2008 Act provides that before issuing a passport to a person the Passport Service shall be satisfied as to the identity of the person. The Passport Service requires the submission of a long-form birth certificate as a key supporting document in all first-time passport applications. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Websites (17 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department's website analytics tools show that the following numbers of sessions (i.e. visits) had chatgpt.com as their origin, for each of the past 12 months, for ireland.ie and for my Department's content on gov.ie. Month ireland.ie sessions gov.ie sessions (DFAT content) June 2024 5 No data available July 2024 ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (17 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure in order to achieve best value for money. Procurement takes place in the context of Directive 2014/24/EU supported by the Procurement Guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). These set out a range of procedures governing the procurement process through...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (17 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: In June 2018, the Government launched Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025. The strategy aims to see Ireland’s global footprint and influence double in the period to 2025, including through an expanded and strengthened diplomatic presence. Under the Global Ireland strategy, 27 diplomatic missions have been opened or have been approved and will open shortly....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (17 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I am aware of the continued detention of this person. At my request, officials in my Department recently met with his wife and family members and representatives to discuss his ongoing detention. As the Deputy has noted, the person in question is a United Kingdom citizen. It is therefore the UK authorities, and their Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, that hold the consular...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (17 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Article 40.2.2 of the Constitution states that “No title of nobility or of honour may be accepted by any citizen except with the prior approval of the Government.” The reference to "title of nobility or of honour" has been interpreted, in accordance with advice from the Attorney General, as referring to honours conferred by or on behalf of a sovereign authority, the recipients...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (17 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together. Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. Our preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are now intensifying across both policy and operational strands of planning. The Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (17 Jun 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 and Trade. Foreign military aircraft are defined under the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, as 'including naval, military and air force aircraft, and every...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (17 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I refer the Deputy to the reply to PQ31536/25.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Judicial Reviews (17 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The table below outlines the number of cases where the Department has been named as a party in Judicial Review proceedings and files have been closed. As per Dáil Standing Order 70, it would be inappropriate to comment further on sub judice matters. Year Cases Closed 2015 0 2016 0 2017 2 ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (17 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The following are the current capital works that are ongoing at the DFTC, Curragh Camp. Below sets out the various stages of construction, tender procurement, design or planning of each project, the estimation completion and estimate cost. Project Project Status Estimated Completion Estimated Cost (incl. VAT) CIS workshops / store ...