Results 1,441-1,460 of 46,197 for speaker:Simon Harris

Third Anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine: Statements (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: There is no proposal like that.

Third Anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine: Statements (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Hear, hear.

Third Anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine: Statements (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: No, we do not.

Third Anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine: Statements (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: And you are not.

Third Anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine: Statements (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: We believe that, ultimately, the greatest security guarantee we can offer now to Ukraine is membership of the European Union, remembering the European Union is the greatest peace project the world has ever known. We will continue to advocate at an EU level for progress on Ukraine’s EU accession path. We hope that agreement can quickly be found to open negotiations on the first...

Third Anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine: Statements (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: With the agreement of the House, I will share time with the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne. A Chathaoirligh Gníomhach agus a Theachtaí, I thank you for the opportunity to have this important debate in Dáil Éireann today as we mark the third anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked, illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We are at a critical moment in terms of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I would be delighted to accept his invitation to visit Casement Aerodrome at Baldonnel. It is somewhere I know well but I would benefit from coming in, sitting down and looking at what I know is the exciting master planning being done for that site. There is huge potential to do so much more. I will very much take the Deputy up on his invitation. I look forward to the visit with him. My...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I cannot give more details on where we are in replacing that naval vehicle beyond what I have said. On radar and subsea awareness capabilities, and particularly given the current security environment in which Ireland resides as the State is not immune from the current geopolitical security environment, I have asked my officials to consider a more aggressive procurement strategy around how we...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I very much welcome that delivery as well because we have to be cognisant of the fact that all too often the evacuation is required of our citizens from certain parts of the world. It is becoming a much more frequent occurrence and while we have great partners, we are proud members of the European Union and we have great friends, we also have an obligation to be in a position to assist our...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy. I know this one well because we have met with Ranelagh Gaels on a number of occasions in recent months. I thank him for the work he has been doing with them. The Defence Forces facilities that we have are, of course, primarily for our Defence Forces but where it makes sense to make parts of that available for community use for sports use and for our young people then we...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is entirely right. I have had the benefit of being in his constituency and meeting with him and the Ranelagh Gaels in previous roles I have held. I look forward very much to doing that again and to personally assisting in any way I can on this, and more broadly in regard to Defence Forces facilities across the country. There are sensitivities around Defence Forces facilities, as...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I might come at it from a more positive viewpoint than how the Deputy characterises it. However, I agree with the general point that before we talk about deploying anyone anywhere, we have to make sure we have enough people who are adequately trained, adequately equipped and have the best infrastructure and capabilities available. On that, we might differ in areas of emphasis, but I accept...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I formally congratulate the Deputy on his election. I look forward to working with him and thank him for providing me with the opportunity to outline the investments the Government has made under the infrastructure development plan, IDP, in Stephen's Barracks, Kilkenny. I hope to visit it shortly. The Defence Forces IDP sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery based on the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I certainly will ensure consideration is given to the additional projects the Deputy mentioned, in addition to the two that are scheduled to commence next year, the new military equipment store, locker block and upgrade of the other ranks accommodation block. I will ask my officials to engage with the Defence Forces on the other projects he referred to. We will continue to invest in and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy. He is right to mention the primary role the Defence Forces play and carry out with distinction. We all feel a great sense of pride, which we have been talking about in the Houses this afternoon, when we see our troops abroad. I think of our UNIFIL colleagues in Lebanon and look forward to visiting them shortly. We also see on a local level the difference the men and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Weather Events (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies Connolly and Daly. This is my first time engaging with Deputy Connolly, and I congratulate him on his election to Dáil Éireann. I look forward to working with him. I take the point. As he said, we might contest the views of some, but regardless of whether we contest them, I accept they are the deeply held views. It is exactly how people felt in large parts...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Weather Events (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is entirely right. As he and I know, nobody is more willing to get stuck in, help out and serve their country than the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann. It is important to have an even greater level of clarity in terms of interagency response. I will certainly reflect and engage with the Defence Forces in my own Department regarding the medical skills and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy again for engaging on this. I accept that we have very different views on this. I am not trying to deny that. How we engage, however, is important. Teasing through detail, our fundamental views and positions and everyone accepting our bona fides is good. I accept the Deputy's bona fides in terms of the value he attaches to military neutrality. Let me be as helpful as...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I hope the Deputy heard me that time. I have already given them, but let me give them again. Maybe he does not want to hear them or does not want to engage. Maybe he wants to jump up and say Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil want to get rid of military neutrality. No, we do not. The Deputy might not trust us, but let me assure him that the people of Ireland showed, when they went out to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Military Neutrality (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: So am I.