Results 46,601-46,620 of 46,723 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has an excellent bilateral relationship with Iceland. In February this year, I had my first meeting with the new Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrín Gunnarsdóttir en marge of the Munich Security Conference. My Department maintains regular diplomatic contacts with Iceland, primarily though our Embassy in Oslo, Norway, which has been accredited to Iceland on a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: As the world’s sixth largest economy and our closest neighbour, the UK continues to be a crucial market for Irish companies. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Ireland was over €124 billion euro in 2023 – the latest year with both good and services data available. Cross border trade with Northern Ireland also continues to thrive. InterTradeIreland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East which remains a major priority for this Government. Ireland’s engagement is guided by our longstanding and principled position, notably respect for international law, respect for the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the start of this crisis, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and immediate dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave.  My Department is aware of the deaths of two Irish citizens in Gaza since October 2023. One Irish citizen was also killed in Israel during the 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and administers a number of funding schemes including those that fall under Ireland's official overseas development programme, Irish Aid.  Funding has been provided to organisations in County Louth for projects within the headings of: Development Education,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not own or lease any properties within this jurisdiction. The Office of Public Works is responsible for all accommodation utilised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade within the state.

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

Simon Harris: The Passport Service is successfully responding to demand, and has issued over 700,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times. Certain passport application forms for applicants resident in Ireland are required to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána. Approximately, 17% of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The UN High Seas Treaty is formally known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, or more commonly referred to as the BBNJ Agreement. The BBNJ Agreement, in broad terms, aims to close significant gaps in global ocean governance by providing a...

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

Simon Harris: In relation to the recruitment process that is currently underway for the position of PA to the Consul General and Consular Officer in the Consulate General of Ireland in Miami, I have asked my officials to write to you to provide you with the information requested once the recruitment process has concluded.

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

Simon Harris: Ireland Houses involve the co-location of diplomatic missions and State Agencies in one premises, working under one roof, sharing services and facilities, and adopting collaborative work practices. Ireland House in Singapore was established in 2000 when the resident Embassy of Ireland opened, and was co-located with the existing Enterprise Ireland office. IDA Ireland opened its doors...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland and Thailand continue to enjoy good bilateral relations, with Embassy officials conducting regular visits to many regions across Thailand, including for trade and promotional purposes, to engage with the Irish community, and to provide consular assistance.  The information requested on the visits is set out below: June 2024 Official visit featuring...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Agreements (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the UN-led process, including the MINURSO Mission, and the efforts of Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to achieve a political solution to this long-standing dispute. It is our hope that these efforts will help achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Travel Area (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Safeguarding and protecting the Good Friday Agreement and the Common Travel Area remain fundamental priorities for the Irish Government. The Common Travel Area (CTA) facilitates Irish and British citizens to move and reside freely across Ireland and the UK while maintaining access for citizens to a range of reciprocal rights and privileges central to everyday life. While it predates the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: For a number of years now Ireland has played an active role at the UN’s Sixth (Legal Affairs) Committee in promoting the need for a new Convention on Crimes against Humanity, based on the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity. I’m glad to say that at the 79th session of the Sixth Committee last year,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTI+ persons is a domestic and foreign policy priority for Ireland. Ireland supports all efforts at international human rights forums to highlight and advance LGBTI+ rights, including through the European Union, the UN Human Rights Council, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security...

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

Simon Harris: I strongly condemn all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where it occurs or who the victims are.  This includes where Christians face persecution for exercising the right to practice their faith.  Promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief is a priority for Ireland, both nationally and across our international engagements....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Agreements (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, on 14 February 2024, the then Taoiseach and Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Furthermore, the letter requested that the Commission propose appropriate measures for the consideration...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has, both bilaterally and at multilateral level, repeatedly called on Israel to comply with international law, stressing the universal applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law. Ireland, the EU and international partners have been clear that there can be no forced displacement of the civilian population in Gaza, nor occupation of the Strip by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Capital Expenditure Programme (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together. There are no State or semi-State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. My Department has a range of programmes that provide support to non-governmental organisations, including community and sporting organisations, that contribute to the realisation of key foreign policy priorities and the promotion of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (8 Sep 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. This will be an important opportunity for Ireland to lead and shape the European agenda, and the Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency in 2026. Ireland's Presidency priorities and policy programme are currently under...