Results 45,481-45,500 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Special Delegation of Ireland to the Papal Funeral Mass on Saturday 26 April 2025 was led by President Michael D. Higgins and included Mrs Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, Tánaiste Simon Harris TD, and the Ambassador of Ireland to the Holy See Frances Collins. The accompanying delegation for the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, consisted of a total of fourteen officials,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (7 May 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: Official Engagements (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12, 13 and 14 together. Ireland’s relationship with the United States is based on rich connections – political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people. Developing and deepening these links is a top priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, just as it is for this Government. There is a long history of visits to Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that officials in my Department and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany, are aware of this case. I can further confirm that officials in the Irish Embassy 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 Embassy of Ireland, Germany, stand ready to provide consular assistance, should the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: There are two Ministers of State at my department, Mr Thomas Byrne TD and Mr Neale Richmond TD. On 29 January 2025, Minister Byrne was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, and Minister Richmond was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora. The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No.2) Act, 1977 provides...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I remain extremely concerned by the negative trajectory of the situation on the ground in Israel and in Palestine. My focus and that of the Government is on supporting international efforts to bring about the immediate cessation of hostilities, a return to the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, and its full implementation including the release of hostages and the resumption of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: As a small, highly globalised economy, it is of the utmost importance that we maintain a strategic focus on the international trading environment. The Government's Trade Forum plays an important role facilitating direct engagement between Government Ministers and key stakeholders and experts as we shape the national, multifaceted response to the trade challenges facing the country and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cycling Policy (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The number of applications for the Cycle to Work Scheme within my Department for the period 2020 - 2024 is set out in the table below. Year Number of Applicants 2020 42 2021 45 2022 46 2023 50 2024 42

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this case. I am sorry to learn of the citizen’s situation and I appreciate that this is a difficult period for them and their family. I can confirm that officials in my Department and the relevant Embassy are aware of this case and are providing ongoing consular assistance to the family. Embassy officials have engaged with the family on a number...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The sinking of the RMS Leinster in the Irish Sea in 1918 resulted in huge loss of life of people from many parts of the world. The work of the RMS Leinster Memorial Committee in ensuring that this maritime disaster, and the many lives lost, are not forgotten is very important. For this reason, the government supported a significant commemorative event in Dún Laoghaire in 2018 to mark...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Hayes for the question. My Department publishes advice for outward travel in respect of more than 200 countries and territories. The advice provides an objective assessment of the risks individuals could face if travelling overseas. This is done with a view to trying to help them to make informed decisions for themselves. The advice is based on consultation with our embassies...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department follows the question of Taiwan's participation at the World Heath Assembly closely. The World Health Assembly, which takes place this year from 19-27 May, is the decision-making body of the World Health Organisation (WHO), attended by delegations from all WHO Member States, and observers. Observers currently include the Holy See and Palestine, international organisations (such...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Mr. Thomas Byrne TD is the Minister of State at the Department of Defence. He is also Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European Affairs. He was appointed by the Taoiseach to these separate roles on 29th January 2025. Full responsibility for Defence policies, the Department of Defence, and the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cycling Facilities (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Cycle to Work Scheme is implemented under a salary sacrifice arrangement through an employee's payroll. Under this arrangement my Department funds the purchase of the bicycle and/or safety equipment for the employee who agrees to forego or sacrifice part of his or her salary for over an agreed period in order to cover the cost. In this context there is no cost to my Department to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Bodies (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together. Following on from Government Decision No S29296 of 19 May 2009, there is a requirement on all Government Departments and associated agencies to pay their suppliers within 15 days of receipt of a valid invoice and to publish a quarterly payment performance report on the Departmental website. Government Decision S29296 of 28 March 2017...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (14 May 2025)

Simon Harris: 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, and supporting better environmental and human rights standards around...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Deaths of Irish Citizens Abroad (14 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad within the remit of its Consular Assistance Charter. The provision of consular assistance is a cornerstone of the work of my Department and I place a strong emphasis on ensuring that our citizens receive timely and empathetic consular assistance. My Department...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Air Navigation Orders (14 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Responsibility for the regulation of foreign aircraft landing or overflying the State is shared between Departments. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has primary responsibility for the regulation of foreign military and state aircraft, while the Minister for Transport leads on regulation of civil aircraft.  Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft)...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (14 May 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 02 May 2025 Turnaround time from the receipt of further supporting documents is 15 working days. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (14 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Public procurement, including for ICT equipment and services, is governed by EU and national rules and my Department ensures that appropriate procedures are followed for procurement activity. Departments are obliged to ensure that public procurement is discharged in line with the standard accounting and procurement rules and that contract prices represent best value for money.