Results 44,921-44,940 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: Four years on from the 2021 military coup, the situation in Myanmar remains of grave concern. Since October 2023, the conflict between the Myanmar Armed Forces and various armed groups has escalated. Significant areas of Myanmar are now under the control of non-state armed groups, and there have been increasingly brutal attacks by the military, with civilians bearing the brunt of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland remains extremely concerned at the ongoing erosion of human rights and democracy in Belarus. As was the case with the fraudulent 2020 and 2024 elections, the Belarusian presidential election on 26 January 2025 can be considered neither free nor fair. I am deeply conscious that the people of Belarus have once again been denied a real voice in the governing of their country. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I am aware that members of a European Parliament delegation undertaking an official programme were refused access to Israel. Lynn Boylan MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Palestine, has written to me about the experience of the delegation and is in contact with my officials. My officials have raised the experience of the European Parliament delegation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised that communications took place between the Irish Air Corps (IAC) and two drone operators regarding drone delivery operations in the vicinity of Casement Aerodrome during the period in question. These communications were of an information sharing nature and required no action by the military authorities. In January 2025, in the context of safeguarding operations at Casement...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised that the new C295W to be delivered later this year will be able to carry up to 62 troops for short flights or 48 in airline-style seating for longer journeys with a crew of two pilots. The Casa CN235 aircraft provided a more limited transport function, carrying up to 19 personnel on short-range flights, with a crew of two pilots.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: In December 2022, a contract was awarded to Airbus Defence and Space for an additional C-295 aircraft. This is a dedicated Military Transport (C295M) variant. The principal role of the aircraft is for air transport missions. It will enable the Air Corps to provide a wide range of services including logistics support and transport of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and air...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government. Capability priorities (including replacement capabilities as they near end of life) for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have provided the requested establishment figures for the years 2000 to 2014 inclusive for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) which are set out in the table below. As the Deputy is aware, in July 2022 the 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The policy of providing Married Quarters to serving Defence Forces personnel was discontinued back in the 1990's and was phased out over a number of years. Accommodation, know as Single-Living-In accommodation, is provided where same is required for training and operational purposes. Such accommodation is managed directly by the Defence Forces at the Brigade level and the assignment of such...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 228 together. Given the continued interest in the events of 1961, a review was conducted in 2004 by military officers for the purpose of a broader examination of the Jadotville case. This Board recommended that the events of Jadotville and the contribution of the 35th Battalion be given recognition. In this context, a number of events have taken...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (19 Mar 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: Passport Services (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the query to which the Deputy has raised, the Passport Service issued a response on 12 March 2025 to the complaint submitted.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I had a constructive call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 4 March. I congratulated him on his recent appointment and we discussed our mutual appreciation for the strength of the US-Ireland relationship. I took the opportunity to convey Ireland's gratitude for the important bipartisan contribution that the United States has made to peace, reconciliation and economic prosperity on our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Publicjobs are the main provider of recruitment services for the Department and undertake all pre-employment checks including Garda vetting for officers assigned to the Department of Foreign Affairs. I can also confirm that all persons recruited directly by the Department are vetted by the Garda National Vetting Bureau before they are employed or, in the case of recruitment abroad by a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland’s policy of military neutrality means that Ireland does not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. The Government has been clear that it has no desire to alter this policy. However, our policy of military neutrality does not insulate us from the impacts of a rapidly changing and volatile international security environment that has become...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The EU-Israel Association Council took place in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 February. 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 Israel, Palestine and the region. The Association Council was chaired by EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department has reviewed its records and there are no contracts with the company named by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland is committed to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, which upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with international law and the UN Charter. We all want to see an end to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, but how we make peace matters. Ukraine must be centrally involved in any negotiations. There needs to be a clear...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Below is a listing of all advisors attached to the Department between March 2020 and February 2025. Minister Adviser Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney Matthew Lynch Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney Christopher Donoghue Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney Laura McGonigle...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: An Teanga Gaeilge (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Ag meán oíche, an 31 Nollaig 2021, bhain an Ghaeilge cothromas iomlán amach le 23 theanga oifigiúil eile an Aontais Eorpaigh. Nóiméad tábhachtach a bhí anseo ní hamháin d’Éirinn. Agus deireadh tagtha leis an maolú a bhí i bhfeidhm ó 2007, ón 1 Eanáir 2022, bhain an Ghaeilge stádas iomlán amach in...