Results 1,781-1,800 of 47,282 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Bodies (13 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 349, 350, 355, 356 and 357 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no non-governmental organisations operating within the State under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (13 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 351, 352, 353 and 354 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no non-governmental organisations operating within the State under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (13 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The information sought by the Deputy is as follows: Title Duration No of Pilots USAF Mountain Flying Training Course 05 Jul – 20 Jul 2024 2 USAF Mountain Flying Training Course 03 Apr – 19 Apr 2025 2 Initial Pilot Training (Military Pilot Wings Course) 01 May...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The 2025 Army Cadetship competition was launched in March and closed for applications on the 8th of April. There are no plans to launch a new cadetship recruitment campaign for the Army in quarter three of this year.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (13 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My officials understand that Casement Aerodrome does not have sufficient runway or parking facilities for practical use by A380 type aircraft.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Commission on Defence Forces (CoDF) Report recommended that Long Service Increments be introduced to the pay scales of all ranks of enlisted personnel. This recommendation was identified as requiring Further Evaluation by Government in July 2022. The further evaluation of this CoDF recommendation has concluded and discussions are ongoing with all the relevant stakeholders. I...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (13 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for his question. In the first instance it is important to note that, at present, that the Permanent Defence Forces do not contain the rank of Lance-Corporal. However, the creation of a new enlisted rank of Lance-Corporal, in the Army and Air Corps, with consideration to be given as to whether there is a need for an equivalent rank in the Naval Service, was recommended...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Official Engagements (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I will engage on that.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Official Engagements (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for her own service and the unique insight she brings to debates in this House having served in Lebanon with our Defence Forces. I very much welcome the opportunity to update the House on my recent visit to Lebanon. A central focus of that visit on 26 March was on my meetings with the Lebanese Ministers for foreign affairs and defence. At those meetings, my first with...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I am smiling because this is one of the questions I get asked most frequently when I go around the country. The Deputy is right that our barracks often have good facilities and communities ask if they can get in too. Obviously, there are requirements from a security point of view, but there is also the issue of wanting our communities to be familiar with them. There have been good...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together. It is a fair point. It is a matter of lies, damned lies and statistics. It depends on when one measures the point. I am going to say progress has been made in the last year and the Deputy is going to say, "Actually, if you look back over a number of years", and both could be true. The reality is that there are some encouraging...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I am always conscious when speaking to this that people who are not friends of Ireland look in on these proceedings, so as regards national cybersecurity, let all of those who look in be aware that we have cybersecurity structures in place. We have an excellent National Cyber Security Centre. As Deputy Heneghan reminded us earlier, however, there is so much we need to do in this space. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Official Engagements (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167, 182 and 203 together. Let me first, as we always do when we speak about this, extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the late Private Seán Rooney and thank him for his service. None of us can fathom the unimaginable pain and grief of his family. I want them to know that we think of them and are motivated every day by getting them truth...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Deputy McGrath knows from his own community and constituency the importance of the pride within which the Naval Service is held across our country, particularly in the part of the country where he lives because people are so familiar with the service there. I look forward to visiting Haulbowline with him in the time ahead. The Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight commissioned...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is right. We have to invest more in defence. In fairness, a lot of work was done, much of it by my predecessor, the Taoiseach, in terms of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces. That was a very helpful and important piece of infrastructure. What we do not need to do, however, is every time we try to spend some money on defence, everybody asks about funding for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My officials and I will keep in close contact with the Deputy on those issues as well. I thank him for his words of tribute to members of the Defence Forces. I am very conscious that, this week, men and women who have served in the 125th battalion in Lebanon are beginning to return home. I was in Renmore Barracks, where the 126th battalion is getting ready to be deployed to Lebanon. I met...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy O'Rourke for raising the question and the opportunity it provides to discuss some of the various investments and infrastructure improvements that are either currently under way, or are being planned, at Gormanston Camp in County Meath. As I know the Deputy will be aware, this training installation has now been designated as the Defence Forces’ Joint Induction Training...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I will read my note to give the Deputy the up-to-date figures. I am told that in 2024, 577 recruits were inducted, consisting of 451 Army, 46 Air Corps and 80 Naval Service recruits into the Permanent Defence Forces. As of 28 February, which is the last date I have for figures, 34 recruits were inducted so far this year. On 19 March 2025, Gormanston welcomed its largest recruit class at 72...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Smith for bringing that matter to my attention. I will, in consultation with my officials, reflect on that judgment, and no doubt in my engagement with representative bodies. I look forward to visiting a number of their conferences and we will have an opportunity to further discuss that. I am happy to come back to the Deputy once I have considered the issue.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 161, 168, 184 and 188 together. The Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight commissioned vessels. These eight vessels consist of two P50 class large patrol vessels, four P60 class offshore patrol vessels, and two P70 inshore patrol vessels. The military authorities have advised that three of the P60 class offshore patrol vessels are currently...