Results 44,781-44,800 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue for his constituents in Palmerstown and across Dublin Mid-West. He is right that this is an issue more broadly. People may feel anxiety in terms of everything moving to a digital or online world and will ask, "What about my needs and the needs of my community?". I assure those people the Government is conscious of this and that we intend to restore...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue as it relates to his constituency of Kildare North. I am very much aware that there are operational challenges in Celbridge, including at Hazelhatch, and that the water network is under pressure. The good news is Uisce Éireann has water main rehabilitation works approved for design and construction in 2025, involving 5.3 km of new water mains....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy knows, at the moment, around 80% of our gas supply comes from two pipelines with the UK. If anything were to happen with one of those pipelines, we would all know about it in terms of very serious consequences. We need to have an insurance policy in place. That is the responsible thing to do. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is examining this area and will bring proposals to...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy and Councillor Johnston for raising this important issue of reduced capacity on the northern commuter rail and the impact it is having on their constituents. The Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Canney, has heard what he said. We will raise this issue within the Department, with Irish Rail and with bus providers to see whether that case can be...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I agree with the Deputy on the school inclusion model. We have got to be honest when the model is not fit for purpose. I really believe this and I say this when I talk to parents. There are often issues that if there is more money allocated, it can make great progress. Of course, we will allocate more money to children's disability services but reforming the system will be as important....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: No, because we have already done that. A Dáil reform committee has been established. As the Deputy rightly said, we had a Dáil committee that fully engaged. As the Deputy rightly said, it was not possible to reach agreement. I accept the Deputy engaged. Everyone engaged in good faith. I am not having a go here but at some point, we have to say we have talked this as much as we...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy. He is entirely correct. I know it from my time as health Minister. We all know it and the Deputy knows it well. It is an issue of great stress and concern to people in Galway and the west and, indeed, to people having to work in the hospital, and do amazing work but in substandard infrastructural conditions. The Government will respond in kind to the good work that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Irish and US authorities are in regular dialogue on matters of reciprocal travel rights between Ireland and the US. However, visa fees charged to Irish students studying in the United States are entirely a matter for the relevant US authorities. We are aware that the US authorities in assessing the reciprocal treatment that they apply to Irish students in regard to visa fees and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's approach to foreign policy. Where human rights concerns exist, Ireland regularly raises concerns on these matters with our partners, both in bilateral meetings as well as in the appropriate international fora. In August 2022, the previous UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Michelle Bachelet, released...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Court of Justice (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland recognises that it is the responsibility of the European Commission to monitor whether EU member states apply EU laws correctly and on time. If national authorities fail to implement EU laws, it is also the responsibility of the European Commission to decide whether to initiate formal infringement proceedings against the country in question. The infringement procedure allows the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service follows the recommended passport guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with regard to children's passports. The ICAO is an UN agency whose guidelines state that, in consideration of the changing appearance of children, a validity period of not more than five years is recommended in the case of children’s passports. Issuance of passports...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Consultations (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs). A table of external legal consultation engaged by my Department in Ireland during 2023, 2024 and 2025 to date is set out in the table below, along with any expenditure. My Department engages external legal expertise in line with national and EU procurement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this matter has been resolved.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Procurement Contracts (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs). There are no agencies under the aegis the Department. The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure in order to achieve best value for money. Procurement takes place in the context of Directive 2014/24/EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Procurement Contracts (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs). There are no agencies under the aegis the Department. The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure in order to achieve best value for money. Procurement takes place in the context of Directive 2014/24/EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: In 2024, the Passport Service issued more than 1 million passport books and cards. There were 7,726 passports issued to Carlow residents in 2024. The Passport Service forecasts that more than 940,000 passport applications will be submitted in 2025. Based on these figures, the Passport Office estimates that in 2025, there will be approximately 6,800 applications from residents of County...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As stated in PQ 2761/25 & PQ4092/25, I will publish versions of the Ministerial briefs prepared by departmental officials for me as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Minister of State with special responsibility for European Affairs and the Minister of State with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, with redactions made in line...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The EU-Israel Association Council took place in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 February. In line with the position I set out at the Foreign Affairs Council in January, the Association Council provided an opportunity for full and frank engagement with Israel on issues of concern, on the wider EU-Israel relationship and for the delivery of key messages at a critical moment for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Egypt is an important partner for Ireland on the Middle East and has played a key role in responding to the current crisis in Gaza. Together with Qatar and the United States, Egypt facilitated negotiations with Hamas and with Israel on a ceasefire and hostage release deal. In December 2024, Egypt hosted a humanitarian conference on Gaza in Cairo, as part of efforts to increase international...