Results 46,521-46,540 of 46,575 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (17 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: We spar in this Chamber on many occasions and do not always agree on things. On a purely personal level, I wish the Deputy well. It takes guts to put your name forward for any election.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (17 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Specifically on the infrastructure in Galway, the national development plan will be an opportunity to significantly increase investment. We will be considering many projects. We discussed some of the health projects for Galway earlier. On the Corrib Estuary issue, I will bring the Deputy's comments to the attention of Senator Noonan's successor, the Minister of State, Deputy Christopher...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Private Partnerships (17 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is not currently engaged in any Public-Private Partnership projects and has not engaged in any such projects since 2010.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Embassies and Consulates of my Department serve the interests of our citizens in over 100 locations around the world. Our diplomatic missions abroad and our offices in Ireland are connected by a large global network that deploys various technologies for connectivity. The Department has a number of contracted telecommunications providers. It has not procured services from the company...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Communities Abroad (17 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 182 and 183 together. I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this matter with me. The provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad is a cornerstone of the work of my Department. My officials, including in our Embassies and Consulates worldwide, place a strong emphasis on ensuring that Irish citizens receive timely...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Reports (17 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The EU and the US represents the largest bilateral trading relationship, with €4.4 billion worth of goods and services crossing the Atlantic each day. In the context of this highly important trading relationship, it is clear that imposition of large additional tariffs by the US would significantly affect Ireland’s export base. The Deputy will already be aware of modelling...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (17 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government has taken note of the letter sent by the US to the EU on 12 July. Notwithstanding the letter, the facts remain that the deadline for talks is 1 August. The EU continues to negotiate with the US in good faith. The European Commission has been clear that they are working towards the conclusion of a deal as soon as possible and in advance of the deadline of 1 August. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (17 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland’s support for Ukraine is steadfast and remains a key focus of my engagements with my EU counterparts, both bilaterally and in Brussels. This war, and the threat posed by Russia, is not only an existential issue for Ukraine, but a major challenge to the security of Europe. It is right, therefore, that support for Ukraine remains a top priority at EU level. Russian aggression...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Private Partnerships (17 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: There are no public private partnership projects operated or funded by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (17 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that neither my Department nor any agency under the aegis of my Department have procured services from Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (17 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight Commissioned vessels. Four of the vessels are available for operations including the three P60 class vessels which conduct patrols on a rotation basis. In addition to the three P60 class vessels, the L.É. Aoibhinn (P71) is also deployed on Maritime Defence and Security Operations (MDSO).

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (15 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Reply not received from Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (15 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Developing and maintaining foreign language skills in our Embassies is important in building key relationships and enabling officers to integrate more deeply. A wide range of skills are required to carry out the functions of an Embassy and, to that end, the staffing profile of our Embassies include both posted staff and locally-hired staff. A total of 21 staff are currently employed by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (15 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade operates CCTV systems at its official premises in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. It forms part of the overall security system in place to help ensure the safety and security of staff and members of the public who use the buildings. For reasons of operational security it is not appropriate to disclose the number of cameras nor the technical details of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cross-Border Co-operation (15 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Shared Island Civic Society Fund (SICSF) 2025 round closed for applications on 27 June. The application for funding referenced was one of those received before the closing date. Officials are now in the process of appraising all applications, and decisions will be made and notified to applicants in the coming months.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (15 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the formation of the government in January, my Department has made significant progress, across a range of policy areas, delivering on the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. Moreover, it has done so an increasingly challenging international context. We have continued to provide a first class passport and consular service. We expect to issue close to one million...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (15 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Malaysia is an important partner for Ireland, with which we have regular engagement at political and official level, in line with the Government’s Strategy for the Asia Pacific. Our positive diplomatic relations have been supported by the work of the resident Embassies in each other’s countries. The Embassy of Ireland in Kuala Lumpur opened in 1995 and was Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (15 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: To date in 2025, the Passport Service issued more than 585,000 passport books and cards. The Passport Service is responding well to demand during our busy summer period, with virtually all complete passport applications being processed within or before advertised turnaround times. Over half of adult renewal applications are processed within 2 working days. The number of applications being...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (15 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Civil servants posted to our missions abroad are paid the standard salary for their grade as determined by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and are paid in accordance with the normal Irish taxation and social security obligations that apply to civil servants. In common with other diplomatic services, this Department further supports officers who are assigned abroad to serve...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Anti-Racism Measures (15 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The purpose of the non-legally binding IHRA Working Definition of antisemitism is to support the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and its Member States with addressing contemporary challenges related to the Holocaust, including the global rise in antisemitism. Ireland already has in place robust mechanisms and protections across a wide spectrum of freedoms.