Results 261-280 of 45,281 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 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. In principle, if the EU and its Member States formed a view that there is a serious and persistent violation of the requirement to respect human rights as an essential element of...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together. The legislative framework for diplomatic relations is governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, an international treaty that provides a framework for diplomatic relations between States. The Vienna Convention was ratified by Ireland in 1967 and incorporated into Irish law by the Diplomatic Relations and...

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

Simon Harris: Ongoing and strategic political engagement with the United States is a top priority for this Government. This is reflected in my Department’s ‘Strategy for the US and Canada 2019-2025’ which aims to consolidate, deepen and expand the partnership between Ireland and the United States. The Programme for Government published earlier this year also places emphasis on the...

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

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this is a paper application which was received on 27 January 2025. The Passport Service requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 7 March 2025. The final set of further supporting documents were received from the applicant on 13 March 2025. The turnaround time following receipt of additional...

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

Simon Harris: Successive governments have made landing facilities available at a number of Irish airports to the United States and other foreign militaries for well over 50 years. Arrangements for foreign military aircraft to land in Irish airports are governed by strict conditions, including stipulations that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not...

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

Simon Harris: On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice delivered an Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. The Court’s principal conclusion was that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory was unlawful and that it must be brought to an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. To meet this requirement, each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The situation in Israel and Palestine is a priority for this Government. The immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing hostilities to an immediate end and for all parties to return to talks aimed at implementing the second phase of the ceasefire and hostage release deal. I condemn the resumption of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and the new ground offensive, which...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department implements a “defence in depth” approach to cyber security, that is multiple layers of security are in place to protect our systems. For reasons of operational and national security, it would not be appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s cyber security arrangements.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department’s approach to cybersecurity is multi-dimensional and in line with the advice from the National Cyber Security Centre. The expenditure on cybersecurity is integrated within overall ICT costs. Details of total expenditure on ICT for the years 2022 - 2024 are as follows: 2022: €12,607,665 2023: €14,279,238 2024: €14,026,902

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: In light of the July 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice and the subsequent advice of the Attorney General, the Government decided to review the Occupied Territories Bill. The Government’s analysis was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the Bill’s provisions in order to bring it in line with the Constitution and to try...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: In 2020, my Department migrated its core IT infrastructure to the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service.  My Department working with the OGCIO implements a multi layered defence-in-depth security strategy which is achieved through the effective combination of People, Processes, and Technology to support...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: In 2020, my Department migrated its core IT infrastructure to the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service. My Department working with the OGCIO implements a multi layered defence-in-depth security strategy which is achieved through the effective combination of People, Processes, and Technology to support the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Rights of Way (27 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department has engaged extensively and positively with Galway City Council on proposals for a permeability route which seeks access to part of the roadway which travels along the northeast of Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Barracks before crossing the bridge immediately in front of the barracks entrance. The proposals for the development of this permeability route are being...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Protection (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is committed to compliance with Data Protection legislation and all staff are required to undergo periodic training to ensure that they are fully aware of their obligations in this regard. Officials engage with the Data Protection Commission on a regular basis. In addition, yearly review meetings are held at a senior management level. The latest such meeting took place on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application is within the current turnaround time and has not yet reached the issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service has issued over a quarter of a million passports to date this year. The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high level of demand for passports, as citizens prepare for upcoming summer travel. Thanks to my Department’s operational and staffing plans, the Passport Service is successfully responding to the current level of demand. The Irish Passport has a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Weather Events (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs is not being provided with additional funding associated with expenditure arising following storm Éowyn.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is referring to the Community Support process, which is facilitated, subject to capacity, by the Defence Forces. Marquees are not available as part of this service, but some tentage may be available. Should a member of the community wish to submit a request, they may do so by sending an email to communitysupport@defence.ie. Following receipt of this email, my Department will issue...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Data Protection (26 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My officials met with the Data Protection Commission on two occasions in 2024 with regard to the Department’s obligations under Article 36 - Prior Consultation of the General Data Protection Regulation. My Department takes its data protection responsibilities very seriously and the Data Protection Office engages with staff on a regular basis and with the Data Protection Commission...