Results 141-160 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (9 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department's ICT projects are managed and delivered under its Digital Transformation Strategy. There is only one instance where a software or IT system procured by the Department was deemed unfit for purpose. A decision was made in 2023 that the contract for a new Passport Integrated and Processing System should be concluded due to the contract terms not being met. The project is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Appointments (9 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 95, 96, 97 and 98 together. I will respond to questions 54400/25, 54401/25, 54402/25, 54403/25 and 54405/25 together. The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was the first global mechanism created for the settlement of disputes between States. It was established by the Hague Conventions for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes of 1899...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Priorities (9 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together. The Joint Framework I announced on 19 September alongside Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, sets out a comprehensive package aimed at providing truth and accountability for victims and families who lost loved ones during the Troubles. It represents a clear break with the 2023 UK Legacy Act, which was opposed by all...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (9 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: In total, my Department has entered into 30 external consultancy contracts over the past five years, some of which remain ongoing. The original estimated cost of these consultancies was €6,756,780. The actual expenditure to date is €2,369,643. External consultancy is only engaged when there is a clear need for specialised expertise and the appropriate skills and resources are...

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Like your 300,000 housing units.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: That is not true.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: We have.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: There will be five years of certainty.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: That is an action. We voted on it last night; we took that decision last night. We are permanently reducing student fees in order that students and their parents will have the certainty that over the course-----

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: They are a hell of a lot cheaper than they are in the North where Sinn Féin is leading the Government.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Sinn Féin would want to get on with it. I cannot for the life of me-----

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: When Sinn Féin-----

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: -----returned to office in the North, I do not understand why it did not make reducing student fees a precondition of that return. It set out a number of other policies and it forget the poor students, who are paying multiples of what their counterparts here pay. Shame. It was a terrible mistake. The student loan system in the North is appalling too.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: It is not a back-and-forth. I get to speak in relation to this and then the Deputy gets to speak. Student fees are being permanently reduced in this jurisdiction.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Students fees are being permanently reduced. We are also-----

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Those opposite do not like when I compare what is happening here with the place where they are in government. We are also taking an important step towards removing the means tests for our carers. A big move was made yesterday in that regard. This is something that everybody in the House supports. Concrete action was taken yesterday in relation to that. We are reducing the rate of...

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: It would feel wrong to rise to my feet and not take the opportunity to update the House on the ongoing illegal detention of five Irish citizens in Israel, including one of our own colleagues in this House, Deputy Heneghan. Overnight, a second flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli authorities. It was carrying five Irish citizens, including Deputy Heneghan. I want to inform the House that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. This will be an important opportunity for Ireland to lead and shape the European agenda, and the Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency in 2026. The Presidency of the Council is held by pre-established groups of three...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that the Irish citizens detained in Israel following their participation on the Global Sumud Flotilla have been released and are currently on their way home. This welcome outcome was secured after a weekend of intensive efforts by officials from across my Department, including the Embassy team in Tel Aviv, working in conjunction with international partners. I know that...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (8 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: A whole of Government approach is required in meeting the challenges arising from the various uses UAVs can be put to. In so far as the Defence Forces have a role in the manner, namely through the defence of the State from armed aggression , they continue to contribute to national resilience and whole of Government security objectives including aid to the civil power and aid to the civil...