Results 181-200 of 47,419 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (15 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together. I can confirm to the Deputy that there has been no expenditure incurred in terms of capital works in relation to Columb Barracks, Mullingar, for 2024 or 2025. Please find below in tabular format the non-capital expenditure for Columb Barracks in 2024. Non Capital Expenditure for Columb Barracks YEAR EXPENDITURE...

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

Simon Harris: With regards to the Deputy's query, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly and provided assistance.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157, 158 and 159 together. The Joint Framework I announced on 19 September alongside Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, sets out a comprehensive package aimed at providing truth and accountability for victims and families who lost loved ones during the Troubles. The Joint Framework offers the best opportunity for addressing one of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the start of the crisis, my Department has worked with the relevant authorities to facilitate the exit from Gaza of those Irish citizens, and their immediate dependents, who have expressed a wish to leave. My Department has also supported the evacuation of other Palestinians seeking support from Ireland, including students, medical evacuation patients, and individuals with the...

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

Simon Harris: The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure in order to achieve best value for money. Procurement takes place in the context of Directive 2014/24/EU and supported by Procurement Guidelines 2023 published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). The Department participates fully in on-going initiatives of the OGP focusing especially on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Circulars (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade). There are no contracting authorities under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Reports (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available internally and in particular where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagement, these consultants and experts may prepare reports and other documentation for the Department. In-depth analysis of issues by external experts has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has an excellent bilateral relationship with Estonia. Irish-Estonian relations within the EU are positive and we are likeminded on many areas of EU policy, particularly on approaches to the Single Market, banking and capital markets unions, and the digital single market. I regularly engage with my Estonian counterpart, Minister Margus Tsahkna, at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Latvia and Ireland enjoy excellent bilateral relations. We have a shared outlook across many areas of EU policy, including tax, single digital market, CAP and climate change. I regularly engage with my Latvian counterpart, Minister Baiba Braže, at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. Ireland has ongoing, high-level engagement with Latvia; Minister Braže visited Dublin last September...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Lithuania and Ireland enjoy excellent bilateral relations. We have a shared outlook across so many areas of EU policy: on competitiveness, on trade and on solidarity with Ukraine. As we move closer to our Presidency of the Council of the European Union, I look forward to even closer cooperation with Lithuania, including exchanges at all levels of government, as Lithuania forms part of our EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland is a strong supporter of merit-based EU enlargement policy and believes that candidate countries should be permitted to join the EU once they meet all the necessary criteria. Ireland recognises Montenegro’s significant progress towards EU membership and notes its aim to join the EU in 2028. This would require it to close all remaining negotiating chapters during...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies applies to commercial and non-commercial State bodies. It does not apply directly to Government Departments. This Department does not have any state bodies operating under its aegis.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that the Irish citizens detained in Israel following their participation on the Global Sumud Flotilla were released and have all returned home. Following the detention of the citizens, officials from across my Department, including the Embassy in Tel Aviv, undertook intensive diplomatic efforts to secure this outcome, working in conjunction with international partners. An...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Irish citizens detained on the Global Sumud Flotilla have now departed Israel and have returned home. This welcome outcome was secured after intensive efforts by officials in my Department, including the Embassy team in Tel Aviv, working in conjunction with international partners. Throughout this period, our primary concern was to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The funding committed by Government to facilitate the delivery of a successful presidency for Ireland and the way in which this funding will be allocated to different departments, does not fall under the responsibility of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and this question is therefore not a matter for my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (14 Oct 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. The Government discussed Ireland’s approach to the preparation of the 2026 EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Protection (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I remain deeply concerned about the situation in Myanmar, especially in relation to the treatment of the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities. The Rohingya have been subject to continuous attacks, forced displacement, and abhorrent treatment over a period of years. More than 1 million Rohingya have been displaced to camps in Bangladesh since 2017, joining earlier waves of refugees. Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Maritime Jurisdiction (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: At their outset, it is important to note that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows for all vessels, including military vessels, to transit through the territorial waters of coastal states when conducting innocent passage. Furthermore, naval vessels are permitted to conduct exercises outside of territorial waters in a country’s Exclusive Economic Zone so...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Defence Forces that the following is the information requested in respect of social media campaigns in each of the years 2023 to date in 2025.The objective of these campaigns is to raise awareness and generate interest in Tri-Service (Army, Naval Service and Air Corps) recruitment and to drive qualified and high quality application activity through targeted digital...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Advertising (14 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have advised that there has been ongoing Tri-Service recruitment advertising activity and this has contributed to increased awareness of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). The cost of such advertising campaigns in 2025 (as of 8 October) is as follows:Total advertising spend (excl. fees): €1,814,267.65 + VAT, Social media spend: €209,150.38 + VAT.The...