Results 45,161-45,180 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Meetings (2 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence took office, there has been one Ministerial Management Board on 4 February 2025. The attendees at that meeting are recorded below. I am in regular contact with individual members of the Management Board and will meet periodically with the full Board throughout my term in office. Attendees were: Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. Since the inaugural European Political Community (EPC) Summit held in Prague in 2022, during the Czech EU Presidency, it has become the established practice that the EU Member State holding the Presidency of the Council in the second half of each year offers to host an EPC Summit. This was the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The territorial integrity of States is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter, Ireland and our EU partners are clear that respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other States is non-negotiable. Ireland fully supports Denmark’s approach, which has been to seek to deal with this issue directly and discreetly with the US in a measured way through...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government has consistently condemned the attacks by the Houthis in Yemen against international shipping in the Red Sea, which began in November 2023. The Government has also condemned rocket attacks on Israel by the Houthis, which is completely unacceptable. Attempting to close down one of the world’s major shipping routes, threatening vessels and the lives of the crews aboard...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I discussed the situation in southern Lebanon with the Ministers for Defence and Foreign Affairs of Lebanon during my recent visit. I am deeply concerned about the escalation of violence and the continued presence of Hezbollah and Israeli forces in Southern Lebanon. Although the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel was not renewed on 18 February, it is essential for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland and Italy enjoy excellent bilateral relations. I meet regularly with my Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, including at the monthly meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. I spoke by telephone with Minister Tajani on 1st April where we had positive discussions covering a range of issues, with a key focus on international trade developments. While no immediate visit to Italy is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: As matters surrounding this case, remain active in the Workplace Relations Commission, it is not appropriate for me to comment at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 1 April 2025 and by way of further clarification draw the Deputy’s attention to Article 79 (2) of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 5 together. On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice delivered an Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. The Court’s principal conclusion was that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland regards the area of autonomous weapons systems as one of the most pressing issues facing the modern disarmament agenda. Their development and deployment raise serious ethical and legal questions and concerns including with regard to compliance with International Humanitarian law, human control and accountability. Ireland favours a two-tier approach which would prohibit the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Our position is clearly outlined in the Programme for Government. The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Our EU membership makes us part of the growing network of EU Free Trade Agreements, supporting more opportunity for exports and investment, helping support jobs and growth at home, maintaining strict EU standards on food safety, animal and plant health,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (9 Apr 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: Human Rights (9 Apr 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 consistently raised our concerns in relation to the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, both in EU fora and in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. We also regularly support and engage with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Tourism Policy (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: My colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has primary responsibility for the tourism sector in Ireland. However my Department is also engaged in a broad range of activities to support Tourism Ireland and the overseas promotion of Ireland, recognising the strategic importance of the tourism sector in Ireland. Under the Trade and Investment Strategy, our Ambassadors...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: There is a strong consensus at EU and international level that Israel must release revenues withheld from the Palestinian Authority. In June 2024, the European Council stressed that actions weakening the Palestinian Authority must stop and called on Israel to release withheld clearance revenues and to take the necessary measures to ensure that correspondent banking services between...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Upon assuming the Office of Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I met with the full Management Board of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 30 January 2025 to discuss a range of matters. The attendees at that meeting are recorded below. I am in regular contact with individual members of the Management Board and will meet periodically with the full Board...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: There is no Special Envoy to the United States in place, and I have no plans to appoint one. The appointment of any Special Envoys in my Department would be subject to the process for the approval of Special Envoys approved by Government in November 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Tourism Policy (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Officials in my Department are open to engaging with stakeholders to discuss ideas that deepen our ties with the United States. As you know, Ireland's story, north and south, is inextricably linked with the story of emigration, and in particular to the United States where more than 30 million Americans across all 50 States now claim Irish ancestry. It is remarkable that 23 of the 45...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Sign Language (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department recognises fully the right of Irish Sign Language users to use Irish Sign Language as their native language in accordance with the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 and strives to meet its statutory duties to the fullest extent. A priority action within the Department’s current Statement of Strategy is to embed a culture of dignity and respect in the workplace, emphasising...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: 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. My Department also allocates funding each year to the Defence Forces for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of its building stock. This year the devolved budget of...