Results 44,901-44,920 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Passport cards were introduced in October 2015 and the following number of passport cards have been issued annually since then: Year Total Passport Cards Issued 2015 12,559 2016 24,801 2017 37,674 2018 56,360 2019 87,123 2020 ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The appointment of full-time specialist Cultural Officers in priority locations worldwide has been identified in the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 strategy as a key action to widen and deepen our global cultural presence and engagement. This programme has been rolled out since 2020 in a close partnership between my Department and the Department of Arts, Culture, Communications,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service continues to accept copies of driving licences certified by a member of an Garda Síochána.  If the Deputy has concerns in respect of a specific application, please bring the details of the case to the attention of the Passport Service who will review the matter further.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: There have not been any secondments from consulting firms to the Department of Foreign Affairs during the period 2020 to present.  Secondments within the civil service are subject to the principles outlined in the Civil Service Secondments Policy and Circular 27/2021: 'Secondment Policy for the Civil Service’.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this complex adult renewal application was received on 3 March 2025. Therefore, this application is within the standard turnaround time for this type of application and has not yet reached its issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland strongly advocates for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ people throughout the world, including in our relations with Hungary. Ireland has repeatedly and consistently raised our concerns in relation to serious Rule of Law backsliding and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. We...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department has reviewed its records and has not entered into any contract, any discussions, or received offers of use of the premises of the hotel referred to by the Deputy.   There are no Agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Information and Communications Technology (20 Mar 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. The data and telephony, which is Voice Over IP (VOIP), communication lines for the Department of Defence are fibre optic communication lines. My Department also has a number of copper communication lines that are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Defence Forces that no military equipment was purchased from companies based in Japan in the period referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The capital allocation for building works in military installations and barracks across the country for the last five years was some €170m. This year the capital allocation stands at €50m for capital investment with a further €12.5m allocation for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Defence Forces that no military equipment was purchased from companies based in Australia in the period referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Army Equitation School continues to source Irish bred horses that meet the required standard as judged by the School's Horse Purchase Board. Horses are acquired through either purchase or lease agreement. The Army Equitation School’s budget for the purchase and lease of horses in 2025 is set at €500,000, as it was in 2024. I am satisfied that the current arrangements allow...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that there have been no secondments from consulting firms to my Department since 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Unfortunately the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. My officials are examining the matter and I will arrange to have the information provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 195 together. Ireland has consistently condemned the gross, widespread and systematic human rights abuses by the Taliban across Afghanistan, particularly against women, girls and individuals from marginalised communities. My commitment and that of the Government to this issue, and particularly the systematic gender persecution now being perpetrated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Extradition Arrangements (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: In June 2020, Hong Kong introduced a new National Security Law which raised concerns about erosion of rights and freedoms; about the lack of safeguards and clarity in the law; and about its extraterritorial provisions. This law was followed by changes to Hong Kong's electoral system in March 2021; and a subsequent domestic national security law introduced in 2023 under the Basic Law (Hong...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Extradition Arrangements (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Article 29.5.1° of the Constitution provides that all international agreements are to be laid before Dáil Éireann upon their entry into force with respect to the State. The Department of Foreign Affairs arranges for the laying of international agreements following their entry into force with respect to Ireland. While an exception is provided in Article 29.5 for international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 21 February 2025. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the query about which the Deputy has raised, the Passport Service has contacted the citizen directly.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Australian Government will shortly be appointing a new Ambassador to Dublin, following the departure of former Ambassador Gary Gray last year. Once the new Ambassador has arrived, this will provide an opportunity to consider political level visits from Australia to Ireland. I would warmly welcome a visit to Ireland from the Australian Foreign Minister. Our two countries already enjoy...