Results 45,001-45,020 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application is within the current turnaround time and has not yet reached the issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service has issued over a quarter of a million passports to date this year. The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high level of demand for passports, as citizens prepare for upcoming summer travel. Thanks to my Department’s operational and staffing plans, the Passport Service is successfully responding to the current level of demand. The Irish Passport has a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Weather Events (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs is not being provided with additional funding associated with expenditure arising following storm Éowyn.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is referring to the Community Support process, which is facilitated, subject to capacity, by the Defence Forces. Marquees are not available as part of this service, but some tentage may be available. Should a member of the community wish to submit a request, they may do so by sending an email to communitysupport@defence.ie. Following receipt of this email, my Department will issue...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Data Protection (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My officials met with the Data Protection Commission on two occasions in 2024 with regard to the Department’s obligations under Article 36 - Prior Consultation of the General Data Protection Regulation. My Department takes its data protection responsibilities very seriously and the Data Protection Office engages with staff on a regular basis and with the Data Protection Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Weather Events (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies. However, where requested the Defence Forces provide the fullest possible assistance to the appropriate Lead Department in the event of a natural disaster or an emergency situation, as part of their Aid to Civil Authority (ATCA) role. In relation to Storm Éowyn, the Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Aircraft (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the Defence Forces’ operational capability is maintained and developed to enable it to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Defence Forces are considered in the context of the established Capability Development and Equipment Development Planning processes. This is underpinned by significant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. To meet this requirement, each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The situation in Israel and Palestine is a priority for this Government. The immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing hostilities to an immediate end and for all parties to return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal. I condemn the resumption of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and the new ground offensive, which...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department implements a “defence in depth” approach to cyber security, that is multiple layers of security are in place to protect our systems. For reasons of operational and national security, it would not be appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s cyber security arrangements.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department’s approach to cybersecurity is multi-dimensional and in line with the advice from the National Cyber Security Centre. The expenditure on cybersecurity is integrated within overall ICT costs. Details of total expenditure on ICT for the years 2022 - 2024 are as follows: 2022: €12,607,665 2023: €14,279,238 2024: €14,026,902

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: In light of the July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice and the subsequent advice of the Attorney General, the Government decided to review the Occupied Territories Bill. The Government’s analysis was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the Bill’s provisions in order to bring it in line with the Constitution and to try...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: In 2020, my Department migrated its core IT infrastructure to the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service.  My Department working with the OGCIO implements a multi layered defence-in-depth security strategy which is achieved through the effective combination of People, Processes, and Technology to support...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: In 2020, my Department migrated its core IT infrastructure to the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service. My Department working with the OGCIO implements a multi layered defence-in-depth security strategy which is achieved through the effective combination of People, Processes, and Technology to support the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Rights of Way (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department has engaged extensively and positively with Galway City Council on proposals for a permeability route which seeks access to part of the roadway which travels along the northeast of Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Barracks before crossing the bridge immediately in front of the barracks entrance. The proposals for the development of this permeability route are being...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: It was on this date in 1919 that the First Dáil met for only the third time. It was an historic day, with the confirmation of a new Ceann Comhairle and the election of a new President of the Dáil, then Éamon de Valera. It also led to the creation of a new Government, and Ireland's second Ministry was formed, with the likes of Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith, W.T. Cosgrave,...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I want to put on the record of this House that it was also in good faith that we engaged constructively and respectfully in government formation talks with both the Labour Party and the Social Democrats, and I thank them for that engagement. I do not believe there are policy differences which we were not prepared to negotiate on, but obviously I respect the decisions of both these parties to...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: We must work together-----

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Before the Deputies shout at me, maybe they should wait to hear my next sentence, because I was about to say that I think and hope many in the Opposition share this view, that we should work together on the big issues of our time. We should work together on housing and on disability services.

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: That is what the public want to see. Shout me down if you wish, but that is what the public want.