Results 221-240 of 45,480 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Manguard provides contacted security services to the Department. The value of the contract is approximately €360,000 per annum.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The EU-Israel Association Agreement provides that the relations between the parties will be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which constitute an 'essential element' of that Agreement. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The resolution to which the Deputy refers elaborates on the obligations arising for Israel, for all states and for international organisations arising from Israel's unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in the field of trade. Article 4 of the resolution calls upon all States to comply with their obligations under international law, inter alia, as reflected in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, recent developments in the global trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements (FTAs). EU FTAs support more opportunity for exports and investment, help support jobs and growth at home, maintain strict EU standards on food safety, animal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has always been a strong supporter of EU enlargement, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary requirements for membership. We firmly believe that it is through EU membership that peace and prosperity can best be ensured across our continent. We welcome recent momentum on EU enlargement, while maintaining the importance of a merit-based accession process, with alignment...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (29 Apr 2025)

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

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: A recruitment campaign for the role of Arts and Culture Coordinator in Canada is underway. The post of Arts and Culture Coordinator is part of a broader Cultural Officers Programme in priority locations worldwide. The Programme is an initiative under Global Ireland 2025 and represents a strategic approach to cultural diplomacy and soft power on a whole of Government basis. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that officials in my Department, including the Embassy of Ireland, Great Britain, are aware of this case. I appreciate that the circumstances of this case are extremely difficult for the family and I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to them. I understand that my officials have been in direct contact with the family and that they have provided advice and guidance...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Apr 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: Passport Services (29 Apr 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: Passport Services (29 Apr 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: Legislative Measures (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the 2008 Act”). Section 38 of the Gender Recognition Act 2015 ("the 2015 Act") amended section 11 of the 2008 Act to provide for the issuing of a passport in a new gender and, if applicable, in a new name. The 2015 Act comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Civil Society Europe report is a useful comparative exercise, however, it fails to adequately reflect the full extent of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ and the Permanent Representation to the EU’s commitment to transparency. There is in fact extensive detail on the PRB’s internal structures on the Department and PRB websites, including a full updated (March 2025)...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Grazing of sheep on the Curragh Plains is permitted under the Curragh of Kildare Acts of 1870, 1961 and 1969. The number of sheep farmers that graze their sheep on the Curragh varies from year to year. In 2024 the Department received applications from 29 sheep farmers, comprising of 4,412 individual sheep claims. “Claims” in this regard belong to various land owners in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence (Amendment) Act 1990 and Defence Force Regulations S6 provided for the establishment of Representative Associations for members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). The associations that have since been established are RACO (for commissioned officers) and PDFORRA (for enlisted personnel). Successive Ministers for Defence engage, on an ongoing basis, with the PDF...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Climate Change Policy (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The public sector continues to demonstrate climate action leadership through strategic initiatives and governance frameworks, with public sector emissions decreasing by 2.7% in 2023 compared to 2022. The Public Sector Climate Action Plan for 2025 (CAP25) was recently published by the government, which strengthens requirements around green public procurement, building retrofitting, and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The only relevant payment administered by my Department is a disability pension or gratuity, which can be applied for by a member of the Defence Forces on retirement. The application is subject to a medical assessment by the Army Pensions Board, and, where an applicant is found to have a disablement attributable to military service, a disability pension or gratuity may be payable under...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The below table provides details of the contracts held by my Department with Accenture: Provider Type of Service Accenture Limited External ICT Technical Support Services The contract was procured under the OGP's central Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for External ICT Technical Support Services.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Fire Service (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: In December 2024, my Department was informed that an operational decision had been taken by the military authorities to proceed with the closure of the DFTC Fire Station. As the matters raised by the Deputy are consequential to this decision and are of an operational nature, I have requested a report on same from the Chief of Staff. On receipt of same, I will advise the Deputy further.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Candidates applying for positions in the Defence Forces are required to meet specific standards for military service, as laid down in Defence Forces Regulations, made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended and extended. These Regulations provide for a minimum height requirement for enlistment for both male and female candidates of 157.48cm. The determination of a minimum height...