Results 1,821-1,840 of 46,197 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The following table indicates the number of civil servants employed in my Private Office in the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Private Secretary to the Tánaiste is paid a private secretary allowance, which amounts to €24,952.76 annually. Role Salary Scale Private Secretary to the Tánaiste First Secretary ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Together with our European Union partners, Ireland has consistently opposed the inclusion of Cuba on the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism and the associated measures, which the EU has stated are in violation of commonly accepted rules of international trade. Ireland and the EU’s position on the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: On 28 May 2024, the Government decided to formally recognise the State of Palestine as a sovereign, independent State, within the territory defined by the 1967 borders referenced in UN Security Council resolution 242 (1967). Norway and Spain made similar announcements on the same date. Slovenia recognised Palestine shortly afterwards. Ireland’s decision to recognise the State of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland currently has 94 Honorary Consuls operating in 55 countries across the globe, (see below list of countries where our Honorary Consuls are based). Our global network of Honorary Consuls offers vital support to the Government across a range of priorities, including providing a means of meeting the needs of Irish citizens in regions where we do not have a resident diplomatic Mission. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: A table containing the information requested by the Deputy is set out below. The functions, privileges and immunities of Honorary Consuls and their legal status in Ireland derives from the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, as given effect in Irish law by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act, 1967. Consular functions as performed by Honorary Consuls on behalf of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the UN-led process, including the MINURSO Mission, and the efforts of Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to achieve a political solution to this long-standing dispute. It is our hope that these efforts will help achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The placement of a State’s nationals within its prison system is a matter for the Government and the relevant competent authorities of that State, in accordance with domestic, European and international law. As such, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter in question.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 54 together. I am deeply concerned by the continued use of arbitrary detention and the use of the death penalty as a means of suppressing political dissent and human rights activism in Iran. This is a principal focus of Ireland's engagement with Iran on human rights issues. Ireland is strongly opposed to the use of the death penalty in all cases and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Up until December 2023, MATS was delivered primarily by the use of the Learjet 45 aircraft. Recently the Department of Defence has conducted a tender competition to acquire a new mid-sized jet aircraft for Ministerial Air Transport and has awarded a contract to Dassault Aviation SA for a new multi-purpose strategic reach aircraft (a French made Falcon 6X) with delivery expected in late 2025....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Maritime Jurisdiction (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government. The Defence Forces are at the forefront of safeguarding Ireland’s maritime interests, including the protection of critical infrastructure. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, in July 2022, Government approved a move over, a six-year period, to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces. Achieving LOA2 requires a Permanent Defence Force establishment figure of 11,500 by 2028, to include a civilian component. This framework also provides for an increase in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As Minister, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. There were 69 main...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Ministerial Brief for the Department of Defence has been published and is available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/818d5-2025-ministerial-brief/

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department does not have any contracts with the aforementioned company. However, this company through the OPW provides the department with detailed information relating to the amount of energy used for all of our Department buildings. Aramark also provide monthly Energy Reports, Energy Audits every 4 years on our buildings for the OPW to sign off on and have run Energy workshops for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together. The Army Cadet Course Syllabus of training is a specialised and intensive training programme of 17 months’ duration. Naval Service Cadets complete a 21-month long period of training. Differences in the type and level of training impacts both the ratio and rank of instructors required for the respective Branches of the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Sector Staff (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department has Civil Service staff located in Newbridge, Galway, Roscrea, Cork and Dublin, with its headquarters in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. The Department also employs Civilian Employees who work to support Defence Forces’ capability in military establishments around the country. My Department has no locations in any of the local electoral areas in County Clare in which it employs...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Staff (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I intend to put in place two advisers to support me in my role as Minister for Defence. These Special Advisers will be at Principal Officer level. All such appointments will be subject to Government approval over the coming weeks following which the relevant contracts, statements of qualifications, and statements of relationship will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the then Tánaiste’s instruction that there should be no procurement of defensive equipment from Israel based on the ICJ advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, the 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 on the procurement of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Meetings (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA) was established in 2021 with a mission “to ensure Ireland develops appropriate, leading edge and trusted defence and security capabilities in the land, sea, air, space and cyber domains, in order to protect our society, create jobs, drive research and enhance Ireland’s economic growth”. National Defence Industry...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (5 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department has a centralised contract, drawn down through the OGP Framework, for the cleaning of all of its premises. This contract is for a period of two years, with an option to extend by two further years. A Security firm provides support for some of the department premises. This contract is also drawn down from the OGP framework, similarly with a two year contract and the option for...