Results 301-320 of 47,691 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Aircraft (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: My apologies. This is what appeared online in relation to a story alleging that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had authorised a US military plane to refuel at Shannon Airport on Sunday on its way from what is now called the Department of War airbase to an Israel Defense Forces base.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Aircraft (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: There was a second article on 17 October that reiterated the claim that the State had allowed the transfer of munitions of war on board a US military plane and, indeed, that it had apparently been authorised by me to touch down at Shannon Airport to travel through Irish territory on its way to Israel. Having reviewed the Department’s records, the flight in question was a civil...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Aircraft (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I have been quite clear in relation to this matter, in relation to the role my Department plays, in relation to the types of flights that require diplomatic clearance, in relation to the monthly log that is published on the Government’s website and in relation to the system of exemptions that operates under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods)...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Relations (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland and Canada enjoy a strong relationship based on a common history and a shared commitment to democracy, human rights and a rules-based international order. I am pleased to say there have been a number of positive developments in this relationship in recent months, including the visit by the Taoiseach to meet with Prime Minister Carney in Ottawa last month. Both reaffirmed the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Relations (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: That is a great idea and a very constructive suggestion. There will be a number of opportunities where we can try to constructively explore this. One would be the fact that the Taoiseach has invited the Canadian Prime Minister to visit Ireland next year. I am delighted to hear that the Prime Minister has agreed, so we will have Prime Minister Carney here. I will let Deputy McGreehan ask...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Relations (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I am sure he will be delighted to. The Deputy brought President Biden there so why not Prime Minister Carney? As the Deputy can imagine, we will want that visit to have a legacy, and that legacy has to be based on opportunities to deepen ties. The de Chastelain link is one we are very proud of. I had the honour of meeting that man, who was an incredible individual. The Deputy is right...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of the abducted children. It was brought up yesterday at the Foreign Affairs Council by the Commissioner and the European Commission now intends to hold a specific summit on this in early 2026. That is in addition to the other activities under way in the various international coalitions, including some Ireland is part of. The Deputy is right to put...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I am satisfied that the tightening up of the sanctions regime is of significant assistance but I am also clear that there are always people looking to get around the sanctions. Russia is always looking to get around the sanctions, to be specific. That is why when the package comes forward - we need to see the 19th package agreed, I hope this week - we need to start preparation of the 20th...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I genuinely believe the US Administration and President Trump want to see an end to the war. I believe they want to see a ceasefire. It is fair to say that there have been different tactical or strategic approaches to how to bring that about on both sides of the Atlantic. Europe has been clear on the sanctions and the need to exert maximum economic pressure. However, - and I say this...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Military Aircraft (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 162 together. Responsibility for the regulation of foreign aircraft landing or overflying the State is shared between Departments. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has primary responsibility for the regulation of foreign military and other foreign state aircraft, while the Department of Transport leads on the regulation of civil...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: My position remains the same as I outlined in this House many times. Of course, I am going to discuss and engage with Government colleagues on this and the Government will obviously make its decision as a collective and present its legislation to the Oireachtas. I will dutifully debate that back and forth in this House. I need to allow that process to take its course. I have respect for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I agree that just because we are a small country is not a reason not to do something. More and more over recent years in the European Union, many coalitions of small and medium-sized countries have come together to work on issues and that has helped move the dial at European level and sometimes at an international level. Recognition was one, as was the fact that we went from being one of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Like the Deputy, I welcome the announcement that Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a deal to end the horrors in Gaza and to try to bring about peace. I also warmly welcome the release of 20 Israeli hostages after two long years in captivity. Every effort must also be made to find and release the bodies of the remaining hostages. Our focus must now be on preserving the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: We are taking action under the International Court of Justice. That is how it works. That is how we hold people to account at international level. We support the international courts and make a submission. It used to be the demand of the Opposition that we would do that. We have done that. We remain committed in respect of that but we also remain committed to the peace plan. I presume...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Fundamentally I do not disagree with what the Deputy said. I would like to see the occupied Palestinian territories not occupied. I would like to see a Palestinian state. I would like to see a peace plan that provides an opportunity for a state of Palestine alongside a state of Israel and people living in peace and security in both of them, so yes, we should move ahead with the occupied...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Today, the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, and I met Tom Fletcher, as did the Taoiseach and, I think, the President. Tom Fletcher is the humanitarian chief of the UN and he has just come back from Gaza. He is literally one of the few people you can speak to who has been on the ground in Gaza. As the Deputy correctly alluded to at the start, the fragility of the ceasefire is very real....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes, is the short and blunt answer. The Deputy has probably heard in recent days that there are now plans for a reconstruction conference on Gaza. This is likely to be in Cairo next month. We need to see where the invitations go but Ireland will certainly be represented there at a senior level. There will be an opportunity for Ireland, along with other international partners, to see what...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Middle East (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The European Union welcomes the peace plan. It is imperfect, as all peace plans are. We also have to be very honest that there is a lot of high-level detail in the peace plan. As phase two commences and we begin to flesh out what some of these things look like and how they operate it is going to be a real challenge. Yes, we have got to keep the pressure on Israel 100%, and we also have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: That remains my position and that of the Government. I think it is objectively fair to say, and there is not much disagreement on this across the House, that the immediate focus has been on the humanitarian aid and supporting the peace plan, on seeing the ceasefire and the hostages being released and looking at practical ways that we can help. International law remains international law and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (21 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Two years of conflict has resulted in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis with nearly 12 million people forcibly displaced. Over 20 million people in Sudan face crisis levels of hunger, including famine in many parts of the country, in what is a preventable crisis. Since the outbreak of the war, Ireland...