Results 161-180 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Budget Statement 2026 (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: You are reading last year's speech.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Budget Statement 2026 (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: You are out of ideas. This is our 16th budget.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Budget Statement 2026 (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy's party should reduce them in the North.

Financial Resolutions 2025 - Budget Statement 2026 (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy's party should reduce them in the North.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The full, timely, and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework remains a key priority for Ireland. The Windsor Framework, an agreement reached between the EU and UK in 2023, acknowledges the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland following the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the EU in 2016. Through the Framework, the gains of the Good Friday Agreement have been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: There is strong consensus at EU and international level that Israel must release revenues withheld from the Palestinian Authority. The estimated USD$2 billion deficit in Palestinian Authority financing is driven largely by Israel’s action in Gaza and the West Bank and Israel’s continued withholding of Palestinian Authority tax receipts, which are now estimated to be close...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Where a child's guardian is deceased, the Passport Service requests the original death certificate of the deceased guardian, consent of the surviving guardian and a Sole Guardian Affidavit from the surviving guardian confirming that they are the only guardian of the child, in order to satisfy guardian consent requirements. While the Passport Service of course recognises the difficulties...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East which remains a major priority for this Government. Ireland’s engagement is guided by our longstanding and principled position, notably respect for international law, respect for the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that officials in my Department and the relevant Irish Embassy are aware of this case and are providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, a dedicated consular officer has been assigned to the family and they remain in contact. The consular officer has provided support and advice to the family in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland established diplomatic relations with Lebanon in December 1974. Insofar as my officials can establish, the current government of Lebanon has no members who are also members of a proscribed terrorist organisation. There are ministers nominated by the political wing of Hezbollah, as there have been in a number of Lebanese governments. In July 2013, the EU's Council of Ministers...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The war has gone on for far too long and with an unconscionable human cost. When we look to Gaza, we continue to witness unspeakable scenes. The UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. Ireland takes the findings extremely seriously. Ireland’s consistent position since the beginning of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: A key pillar of Ireland’s foreign policy is our strong commitment to international law and our promotion of respect for international law. This commitment has guided our approach to the current conflict. The Government has been vocal in its support for sanctions against violent Israeli settlers and extremist Israeli ministers, as well as against Hamas and other Palestinian militant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: As I stated in my reply to the Deputy on 30 September 2025, Hamas is a terrorist organisation which offers the people of Gaza no future. Hamas is listed by the European Union as a terrorist organisation, unanimously agreed by all Member States. Ireland has repeatedly condemned Hamas and its terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, and has consistently called for the unconditional release...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 18 and 25 together. Ireland welcomes recent proposals from the European Commission to suspend the core trade-related provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The EU-Israel Association Agreement provides that the relations between the parties will be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which constitute an 'essential...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department does not have any record of any direct purchases of products or services in Ireland from Australia over the past three years. The acquisition of goods and services by my Department complies with all relevant legislation, including EU Directives, and with Office of Government Procurement (OGP) guidelines. The Department publishes tenders on both the government procurement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has consistently condemned the junta and has called for a return to a democratic path. I am appalled by the escalation in violence, the displacement of large numbers of people and the dire humanitarian and human rights situation in Myanmar. Since October 2023, the conflict between the Myanmar Armed Forces and a number of armed groups has escalated. Significant areas of Myanmar...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 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 Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Japan is a like-minded partner for Ireland on the global stage, a country which shares our commitment to the international rules-based order and a multilateral trading system. Japan is also Ireland’s second-largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific, with annual two-way trade in goods and services of over €21 billion. Our economic and knowledge partnerships provide significant...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (7 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 63 together. I can confirm that there is currently no intention to purchase military equipment from Israel. Since the ICJ advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, my Department has included provisions in its tender documentation regarding the right to reject offers from third countries on defence and security grounds, in line with the Commission guidance...