Results 45,201-45,220 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the 1990s, the long-standing policy of my Department has been to withdraw from the provision of married quarters for serving personnel. This policy approach remains reflective of the State’s move away from the historic provision of tied housing for State employees. The move away from this provision was accepted by senior military management at the time and has been acknowledged...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy may be aware that a consultant was commissioned by the Defence Forces to assess the condition of the derelict and vacant housing in barracks, including those in the Curragh Camp and its suitability for conversion/refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Force personnel. My officials will be reporting to me with recommendations on how to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Data (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department’s Information systems and databases are designed using enterprise level technologies and are scalable to meet the increased data processing capacity required for evolving technologies such as AI. On foot of a policy making recommendation in the Department of Defence Capability Review (2022), my Department is currently in the process of developing a Data Governance...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Projects (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. I can confirm that this Department has no projects with underway with CeADAR. The use of artificial intelligence, as with all...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. There are three bodies under the aegis of my Department; the Army Pensions Board, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces and the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. My Department is currently exploring opportunities for the use of AI, but no use cases are currently in development. The use of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: At the moment, AI training is not widely offered to employees of my Department. However, where requested, AI training has been provided. This details are set out in the table below. Name of Course Date Days Training No. of employees HR tools and AI May 2024 0.5 Day 1 Project Management and AI ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Correspondence (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: During 2024, my Department's customer service team did not receive any physical correspondence, while the Minister's Offices received 36 written letters. It is standard practice that all correspondence received in my Department is digitised.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Correspondence (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: During 2024, my Department's customer service mailbox received 972 email queries, while the Minister's Offices received 1,121 email representations.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Surveys (10 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is committed to delivering in an effective and efficient manner for the State and its citizens. No surveys have been carried out in relation to the time required by administrative tasks, but as part of minimising such tasks, my Department avails of transactional HR and payroll services provided by the National Shared Services Office. In addition, each Branch is required to have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221, 228, 229 and 232 together. I can confirm that officials in my Department and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany, are aware of these reports. I can further confirm that my officials, both in Dublin and in Berlin, are engaging with the relevant German authorities on the matter. I wish to assure the Deputies that officials in my Department and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department and its network of missions across the United States play an important role in promoting the dynamic and mutually beneficial economic relationship between Ireland and the United States. This is a time of significant turbulence for the global trading environment. My views on tariffs are clear and on the record. I continue to attach the highest priority to our work to protect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Projects (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade invests its capital budget each year in a wide range of areas to ensure improved operations, to deliver the future infrastructural needs of the Department and provide enhanced services to citizens. Below is a listing that details the major capital projects undertaken, in excess of €500,000, in the period January 2020-March 2025: ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service has issued over 290,000 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. With regard to the Deputy's request for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The extensive economic relationship between Ireland and the United States delivers prosperity and employment on both sides of the Atlantic. Protecting and developing the two-way trade and investment is a priority for me as Tánaiste at a time of significant turbulence in the global trading environment. Securing insights on how best to position Ireland to navigate the international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland supports the essential role that UN Special Procedures mandate holders play in the international human rights system. Their work contributes to the development of international human rights standards and helps to raise public awareness on human rights issues. Both I and my officials will continue to defend the important role undertaken by all such mandate holders. The Special...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The following table shows the special advisers employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The appointment of special advisers are made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and are subject to Government approval. Role Minister Salary Scale Special Adviser Tánaiste Principal Officer ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Apr 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: Official Engagements (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy with regard to both my engagements and those for Ministers of State Richmond and Byrne for the week ending 23 March 2025 is set out in the following tables: Tánaiste: Monday March 17th Irish Arts Centre in New York - meeting, tour and speech to community leaders Mayor’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Gender Recognition Act comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection. I am advised by the Department of Social Protection that the report of the Review Group for the Gender Recognition Act under section 7 of the Act included, at recommendation 2A, that legal recognition should be made available to people who are non-binary. This recommendation will, in part,...