Results 201-220 of 45,281 for speaker:Simon Harris

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Calm down, again.

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Ceann Comhairle then oversaw a subsequent debate for 20 hours at a Dáil reform committee. A proposal was put to a vote at the committee. It was approved by a majority, which is how democracy works.

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: This time, the Opposition-----

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: This time, the Opposition did not like the result. What did it do? It comes for the Ceann Comhairle's head. This is straight out of a populist playbook. If you do not like the answer, attack a person's integrity and motive, and inevitably seek his or her head. Fine Gael has had differences with the Ceann Comhairle over the years - they are well documented - and I am sure we will again....

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: It was on this date in 1919 that the First Dáil met for only the third time. It was an historic day, with the confirmation of a new Ceann Comhairle and the election of a new President of the Dáil, then Éamon de Valera. It also led to the creation of a new Government, and Ireland's second Ministry was formed, with the likes of Michael Collins, Arthur Griffith, W.T. Cosgrave,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Correspondence (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Engagement with third-country counterparts is a central part of my work and that of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Such engagement routinely includes exchanges on issues relevant to the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the country concerned. This issue has not been the subject of any recent engagement with my political counterparts in the US. Given...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland’s policy of military neutrality means that Ireland does not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. As I have said in this House on previous occasions, the Government has no plans to alter our long-standing policy of military neutrality, join a military alliance or enter into a mutual defence arrangement. As such, a referendum on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Co-operation (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 162 together. There has been positive and substantive engagement with the British government in recent months, in particular in the context of the first UK-Ireland Summit in Liverpool on 6 March. I was pleased to attend the Summit alongside the Taoiseach, with Ministers McEntee, O’Brien and O’Callaghan. The Summit was the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 149, 168, 170 and 188 together. Last Tuesday, 25th March, marked Belarus Freedom Day. I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm Ireland’s commitment to supporting the Belarusian democratic movement in its pursuit of a democratic future for all Belarusians. On 26 January, together with other EU Foreign Affairs, I met with Sviatlana...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I am aware of reports of the discussion by senior US administration officials via a commercial messaging app of sensitive information in respect of US military action in Yemen. The US administration has confirmed that these reports are accurate. I know that this incident is the subject of ongoing engagement by the relevant Congressional committees in the US and those discussions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has a longstanding and excellent relationship with Colombia. Support for the implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement is central to Ireland’s engagement, alongside our role as guarantor in the talks with FARC dissidents Estado Mayor (EM) under the Colombian Government’s Total Peace policy. Ireland has provided over €25 million to support peacebuilding and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 197 together. Ireland remains convinced that the implementation of the two-State solution is the only way to establish lasting peace and security for both Israel and Palestine, and the wider region. We are especially conscious of the need to build support from the ground up in both Israel and Palestine, in addition to advancing a political...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148, 169 and 182 together. As a small, highly globalised economy, it is of the utmost importance that we maintain a strategic focus on the international trading environment. In February, the Government agreed to my proposal to establish the Trade Forum, with the aim of providing a vehicle to directly engage with key stakeholders across Government and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Artificial Intelligence (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are progressing across both policy and operational strands of planning, led by my Department in close cooperation with the Department of the Taoiseach, and with input from all Departments across Government. My Department is currently taking forward...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Bodies (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The EU-Israel Association Council took place in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 February. The Association Council provided an opportunity for full and frank engagement with Israel on issues of concern, on the wider EU-Israel relationship and for the delivery of key messages at a critical moment for Israel, Palestine and the region. The meeting was attended by the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Sanctions (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has consistently supported strong sanctions against Russia in response to its unprovoked and illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The scale and speed of the sanctions adopted by the EU in response to Russia’s brutal aggression has been unprecedented, with over 2,400 individuals and entities now subject to travel bans and asset freeze measures. A broad range of sectoral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I am aware that members of a European Parliament delegation undertaking an official programme were refused access to Israel. Lynn Boylan MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Palestine, has written to me about the experience of the delegation and is in contact with my officials. My officials have raised the experience of the European Parliament delegation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 179 and 180 together. I have been clear that the UK Legacy Act, as it stands, is not fit for purpose. At the same time, in addressing the legacy of the Troubles, I know there is a need to develop fit-for-purpose mechanisms to seek truth and justice for victims and their families. We have committed to work towards this in the Programme for Government. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159, 171 and 229 together. I had a productive first call with United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Monday 24 March. This was an important opportunity to engage with Secretary Lutnick, a key figure in the administration with wide responsibility for matters of trade and commerce. This conversation was focused on the approach of the new US...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 201 together. Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East which remains a 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...