Results 321-340 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193, 221 and 242 together. With regard to the current trade dispute with the US, Ireland’s consistent position remains that we need a substantive, calm, measured and comprehensive dialogue with the United States. This is also the position of the EU, which has shared a constructive proposal for scoping out a negotiation between the two sides. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Security (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Responsibility for the regulation of foreign aircraft landing or overflying the State is shared between Departments. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has primary responsibility for the regulation of foreign military and state aircraft, while the Minister for Transport leads on regulation of civil aircraft. Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I am encouraged by the renewed US bilateral engagement with Ukraine. US support for Ukraine since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion has been essential. We all want to see peace in Ukraine. But how we make peace matters. Ukraine must be centrally involved in any negotiations and supported to engage from a position of strength. Russia must not be rewarded for its unprovoked...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Summits (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197, 212 and 254 together. I warmly welcome the EU-UK Summit which took place in London on 19 May. This Summit marks the beginning of an ambitious new phase of EU-UK cooperation, to the benefit of people and businesses across our continent and across the island of Ireland. I would like to acknowledge the work of European Commission and UK Government in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: On 4 May 2022, the Government approved the decision for Ireland to seek election to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the 2027 – 2029 term, at elections to be held in October 2026. As we approach the 70th Anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the United Nations (UN), our decision to seek membership of the HRC is a demonstration of our commitment to multilateralism, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Export Controls (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is the national competent authority with responsibility for export controls, including controls on defence-related exports and the export of dual-use goods. Officials of that Department carry out assessments and checks on all export licence applications to ensure, as far as possible, that the item to be exported will be used by the stated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has always been, and will remain, 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. Furthermore, the change in geopolitical circumstances brought about by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 223 together. Negotiations remain the focus for both the EU and Ireland and the Commission is fully engaged in seeking to bring forward discussions with the US. A negotiated solution remains very clearly the goal and the preferred outcome. At the same time, we understand the need for the EU to undertake further internal preparations in case...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I fully share your deep concern at the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza.I have consistently condemned any arrangement for humanitarian assistance that does not ensure access for the entire population. Recent days have seen a small amount of aid being permitted to enter Gaza. However, this is completely out of proportion with the scale of humanitarian need, which continues to grow. I...

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

Simon Harris: Global Ireland 2025 was launched by Government with the aim of doubling Ireland’s footprint and impact by 2025. Under the strategy, Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly with the opening or announcement of twenty-seven new missions. In March 2024, a further five new diplomatic missions were announced. They are embassies in Belgrade, Chisinau and...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 257 together. The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) remains provisionally applied, by the EU and Canada, as it has been since 21 September 2017. As the process of national ratification across all Member States can take a number of years to complete, provisional application allows the areas for which the EU has...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 209 together. As this House will be aware, the Government carried out an extensive analysis and review of the Occupied Territories Bill late last year. 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 Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 210, 213, 216, 220, 227, 233, 241, 245, 248 and 255 together. Following the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council last Tuesday, the EU High Representative announced that the EU will conduct a review of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. This is an important decision, reflecting the grave concerns held by Member States regarding the...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 208, 226 and 253 together. The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports. So far in 2025, the Passport Service has issued over 440,000 passports. My Department engages in comprehensive workforce planning each year, based on forecasted passport demand. Staffing requirements for the upcoming year are formally approved by the...

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

Simon Harris: It is the stated goal of the European Commission and India to conclude a trade agreement by the end of 2025. Ireland supports this ambition. Recent developments in the international trading environment have highlighted more than ever the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU Free Trade Agreements. As a result, there is increased momentum behind the deal, which is...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 217 together. Following the fall of the Assad regime, Syria remains in a state of uncertainty. In these early stages, it is critical for Ireland and the EU to use our voice and influence to support a peaceful transition that leads to an inclusive and stable Syrian state that respects the human rights of all Syrians. In that regard, we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 222 together. I was delighted to meet with Northern Ireland political party leaders in Belfast on 19 May. This was a valuable opportunity for me to hear directly from them on a number of important issues, with a particular focus on legacy. I also met with a number of victims and families groups in Dublin on 14 May to better understand their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: China is Ireland’s largest trading partner in Asia by some margin- our trade in goods has trebled in both directions in the last five years. Ireland takes a holistic approach to trade with China, our economic relationship is not considered separately from our values and other priorities. We are interested in strengthening engagement with China where it is in our interests to do so. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Bodies (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and views it as the cornerstone of the international system of criminal justice. In order for the Court to deliver on its unique mandate to end impunity for the world’s most heinous crimes, it is vital that the universality of the ICC’s Rome Statute is achieved through the broadest possible membership of the...

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

Simon Harris: The Passport Service takes every opportunity to remind citizens to check their passport validity. Each year the Passport Service proactively plans for the demand forecasted for the year ahead. Part of this planning involves an extensive public communications campaign to encourage citizens to apply through Passport Online in plenty of time for their passport prior to travel. The Passport...