Results 221-240 of 47,732 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: In accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, the Secretary General is required to submit a new Strategy Statement, for Ministerial approval, within six months of the appointment of a new Minister. The current Department of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy Statement was forwarded to the me within this period and formally approved in July 2025 and covers the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Emergency Planning (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is responsible for coordinating emergency planning arrangements across the Government through the Office of Emergency Planning and the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning. For over a decade now, the Office of Emergency Planning has coordinated a public awareness campaign called Be Winter Ready. This campaign was primarily focused on the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the events of 14th December 2022, in which Private Seán Rooney was killed and Trooper Shane Kearney and other personnel from the 121st Battalion were injured, the Government has consistently expressed determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established and that every effort is made to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 51 together. I am advised by the military authorities that as at 30 September 2025, the latest date for which such figures are available, the whole-time equivalent strength of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 570 or 7.5% of a total strength of 7,641 personnel. The number of applications received from women to the end...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for providing me with the opportunity to outline the investments that have been made under the Infrastructure Development Plan in Stephen’s Barracks Kilkenny. There is one capital project currently ongoing in Stephens Barracks, details of which are set out below: Project Estimated Cost incl. VAT Expected Completion ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I have previously acknowledged this is a difficult case, and it is one which I wish to see resolved. My officials continue to actively pursue measures to enable this matter to be progressed as expeditiously as possible. External legal advice has recently been sought. Depending on the outcome of that advice, resolution of this case may or may not require legislative change. While...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise the Deputy, that my Department has taken the lead in the development of a National Maritime Security Strategy following identification of maritime security as a priority in last year’s Defence Policy Review. I anticipate that key elements of this new strategy will be enhancing maritime domain awareness and protecting critical maritime infrastructure, especially...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: The purpose of a Balancing Statement is to provide serving personnel in the Defence Forces with knowledge of their financial liability upon completion of an educational programme as part of their career progression. The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF) , in response to a previous complaint, recommended that in strict compliance with Conciliation Council Report 446 "Undertakings",...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Capital funding of €1.7 billion has been allocated to the Defence under the National Development Plan for the period 2026-2030. The funding represents an increase of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am pleased to say that significant progress has been made, in terms of the pay and conditions for Defence Force personnel, particularly over the last six (6) years. Under the current national pay deal, the Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, a further 1% increase in basic pay, as well as allowances in the nature of pay, came into effect on...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 67 together. I wish to advise the Deputy, that my Department has taken the lead in the development of a National Maritime Security Strategy following identification of maritime security as a priority in last year’s Defence Policy Review. This strategy is being developed in consultation with national and international stakeholders. Key...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: The revised National Development Plan Capital allocation for the Defence Vote Group for the period 2026-2030 is €1.7bn. This represents an increase of €600 million (55%) on the previous baseline of €1.1bn. For 2026, the Defence capital allocation will increase by €85 million to €300 million. Capital Investment in Defence primarily provides for the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Budgets (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Vote was allocated with a funding envelope of €1,021 million in 2025. This represented an increase of €88 million (9%) over the corresponding 2024 allocation and includes funding for pay and allowances for 8,960 public service employees, ongoing Defence Forces standing and operational costs and the ongoing renewal and upgrading of defence equipment and barracks...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 41, 56, 62 and 75 together. I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. As the Deputies are aware there has been significant progress made in terms of pay and conditions for the Defence Forces personnel, particularly over the last six years. The starting pay of a school leaver cadet, on commissioning, was €30,884 in 2019. As of 01 August...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 46 together. My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. The acquisition, modernisation and upgrade of Defence Forces equipment is considered in the context of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: As of 03 November 2025, Ireland is contributing 430 Defence Forces personnel to overseas peacekeeping missions and commitments. This reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security. Ireland has always been a strong supporter of peacekeeping and contributions to peacekeeping operations and this is expressed in Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: White Papers (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: The White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030, published on 19 March 2025, is a Joint Communication by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the EU Commission that seeks to mitigate some of the threats and challenges Europe collectively faces. It outlines a strategic direction with proposals aimed at closing critical capability gaps, enhancing military mobility,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I have earlier updated the House regarding Government’s intentions with regard to the proposed amendments to legislation governing the overseas deployments of the Defence Forces (the proposed Defence Amendment Bill). As I have previously outlined, the General Scheme of the Bill was published on 21 May last. It consolidates with amendments, the existing provisions of the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together. As of the 30 September 2025, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) stood at 7,641 personnel. As one of the recommendations from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Permanent Defence Force capability equivalent to Level of Ambition 2....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I have earlier updated the House regarding Government’s intentions with regard to the proposed amendments to legislation governing the overseas deployments of the Defence Forces (the proposed Defence Amendment Bill). As I have previously outlined, the General Scheme of the Bill was published on 21 May last. It consolidates with amendments, the existing provisions of the Defence...