Results 1,701-1,720 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act“). Section 7(1)(a) of the 2008 Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to them. To meet this requirement, each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (22 May 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 Agreement....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Equipment (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department currently uses Microsoft Windows, Word and Excel. For reasons of operational security it is not appropriate to disclose the versions used.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Equipment (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department currently uses videoconferencing software provided by Cisco. Department staff can access Teams calls via an Internet browser. For reasons of operational security it is not appropriate to disclose the versions used.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Equipment (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is currently in the process of migrating some of its services to the Microsoft cloud platform. For reasons of operational security it would not be appropriate to disclose details of the services.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Equipment (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department currently uses Lotus Notes to support a small number of business units. For reasons of operational security it would not be appropriate to disclose the version used.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department currently uses Colt and Virgin Media as commercial internet service providers at headquarters. The current annual cost of these contracts are €8,016 and €6,000 respectively excluding VAT.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (22 May 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 Defence: Departmental Equipment (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department's core IT infrastructure is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' Shared Service My Department uses Microsoft Teams as part of the Department’s collaboration and communication platform. Microsoft Teams is included in the user productivity suite of services provided to all staff in my...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Equipment (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department currently utilises Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) as our cloud service providers. The Department is currently implementing a five year Technology Strategy and Roadmap. It is aligned with ‘Connecting Government 2030: A Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service’ which has a core principle of ‘Digital by Default and Cloud...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Equipment (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department uses Lotus Notes (also known as IBM Lotus Notes) for a small number of legacy systems. The Department is currently implementing a five year Technology Strategy and Roadmap which includes migrating legacy applications to modern, enterprise level platforms.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department’s internet service is provided through the Government Networks shared service which is delivered by the Office of the Government CIO in DPENDR. As such, my Department does not currently use a commercial internet service provider.

Gaza: Statements (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: It was a smear against the Taoiseach.

Gaza: Statements (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Gaza: Statements (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: We gather for these statements today with warnings ringing in our ears that thousands of children are at risk of death in the coming days. According to UNICEF, more than 15,000 children in Gaza have been killed, more than 34,000 injured and nearly 1 million displaced. Gaza has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world and 17,000 children are unaccompanied or separated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, recent developments in the global trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements (FTAs). EU FTAs support more opportunity for exports and investment, help support jobs and growth at home, maintain strict EU standards on food safety, animal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I have been following with concern the tensions between India and Pakistan which resulted in military exchanges between the two countries in recent weeks. I welcome the complete and immediate ceasefire that was announced on 10th May and which has now been extended indefinitely. It is positive that communication channels have reopened between both countries and I very much hope that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I have been consistent in my view that the UK Legacy Act, as it stands, is not fit for purpose. At the same time, in addressing the legacy of the Troubles, I know there is a need to develop fit-for-purpose mechanisms to seek truth and justice for victims and their families. We must strive towards that valuable prize. To that end, intensive and constructive work has been ongoing with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: In discussions with the UK Government on reform of the UK Legacy Act, I have two core guiding principles: compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights and seeking to secure the confidence of victims and survivors. Issues around disclosure form part of these discussions. I raised the issue of disclosure with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during our recent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland currently has 94 embassies and consulates general in 72 countries, as set out in the table below. There are plans to open embassies in Serbia (Belgrade); Moldova (Chisinau) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo); and consulates general in Spain (Málaga) and Australia (Melbourne). It is planned all of these will be fully operational by 2027. In addition to these bilateral...