Results 341-360 of 45,480 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I begin by paying tribute to Mick O'Dwyer. It is with tremendous sadness that we learnt of the passing of one of Ireland's greatest GAA icons. His contribution to Irish sport and community life was extraordinary, particularly in his native county of Kerry, although we do like to claim a bit of him with the great joy he brought us in Wicklow and many other counties. I think of him and his...

Seanad: International Trade and International Relations: Statements (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and other Members of Seanad Eireann. I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad on the issues of international trade and international relations. Trade and our trading relations with partners around the world are, of course, at the core of the Irish economic model. It is not just an economic theory. It is at the core of how we see ourselves in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. Since the inaugural European Political Community (EPC) Summit held in Prague in 2022, during the Czech EU Presidency, it has become the established practice that the EU Member State holding the Presidency of the Council in the second half of each year offers to host an EPC Summit. This was the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The territorial integrity of States is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter, Ireland and our EU partners are clear that respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other States is non-negotiable. Ireland fully supports Denmark’s approach, which has been to seek to deal with this issue directly and discreetly with the US in a measured way through...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government has consistently condemned the attacks by the Houthis in Yemen against international shipping in the Red Sea, which began in November 2023. The Government has also condemned rocket attacks on Israel by the Houthis, which is completely unacceptable. Attempting to close down one of the world’s major shipping routes, threatening vessels and the lives of the crews aboard...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I discussed the situation in southern Lebanon with the Ministers for Defence and Foreign Affairs of Lebanon during my recent visit. I am deeply concerned about the escalation of violence and the continued presence of Hezbollah and Israeli forces in Southern Lebanon. Although the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel was not renewed on 18 February, it is essential for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Travel (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland and Italy enjoy excellent bilateral relations. I meet regularly with my Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, including at the monthly meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. I spoke by telephone with Minister Tajani on 1st April where we had positive discussions covering a range of issues, with a key focus on international trade developments. While no immediate visit to Italy is...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (3 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: As matters surrounding this case, remain active in the Workplace Relations Commission, it is not appropriate for me to comment at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Meetings (2 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence took office, there has been one Ministerial Management Board on 4 February 2025. The attendees at that meeting are recorded below. I am in regular contact with individual members of the Management Board and will meet periodically with the full Board throughout my term in office. Attendees were: Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Passport Services (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I would like to see progress on the issue of reminders. I am sure the gardaí would like to see that too, to make the process as efficient as possible for everybody. I will follow up on that directly. I echo the Deputy's request that everybody check their passport. We do our very best at times when people need to travel at short notice. It can happen to anybody for reasons of...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Passport Services (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: So please check your passport. Maybe in that moment of harmony, we can conclude.

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Passport Services (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I have respect to the sensitivity of the issue. The issue relates to my other Department, the Department of Defence. I am aware that the Department is in direct contact with the Rooney family. We will continue to do that. I made it clear to the Lebanese authorities that the family intends to travel for the trial and it is important that there is real progress. We will keep in touch about...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Trade Missions (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 151 together. Last month, I had the honour of visiting and representing the Government in the iconic Irish-American cities of Philadelphia and New York. I was delighted to join Mayor Cherelle Parker and the people of Philadelphia to march in their St. Patrick's day parade. I met with a number of community groups and laid a wreath at the...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Trade Missions (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies Boland and Ó Murchú. Their questions overlap. With regard to what we heard from the business community and what we can do, there are a couple of things. I was struck by the great sense of uncertainty, even from very senior business leaders in the United States who are, no more than the rest of us, waiting to see the level of detail. It was good to get an insight...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Trade Missions (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: While engaging and negotiating as part of the European Union, we need to continue to engage with the US Administration and to take every opportunity to share information. I genuinely believe - and I say this respectfully - the relationship is much more complex and interdependent than is sometimes articulated by the US Administration. It is much more interdependent, two-way and bilateral....

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Passport Services (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for the question. I hope we can share the same view on this across this House. The programme of passport service reform has been very impressive. I was in Balbriggan with Deputy Boland recently. I am very proud of the work being done in the passport office there and in other passport offices. The Passport Office has come through the Covid pandemic and...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: On my trip to Lebanon, of course I took the opportunity to raise the case of Private Seán Rooney, a stark reminder of the 48 people who have lost their lives serving with Óglaigh na hÉireann on tours of duty in Lebanon. We think of Seán Rooney and his family and we continue in our quest for justice and truth. I raised that with the defence Minister and the foreign...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Diplomatic Representation (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 161 together. I thank Deputy Clendennen for this question, which is timely because now more than ever, at a time when some countries are choosing to look inwards, it is so important that Ireland continues to look outwards and increase our global footprint. Global Ireland 2025 was launched by the Government in 2018 with the aim of doubling...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Diplomatic Representation (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Deputy Clendennen is so right. Not only should we be extraordinarily proud of our diaspora, as we are, but as a country we have done quite a good job of keeping the links and investing. Other countries ask Ireland about our diaspora strategies and how they can learn from and work with us on that. Ours is one of the few countries that has an emigrant support programme, where we provide...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Diplomatic Representation (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Deputy Clendennen is so right. That regional aspect is important to all that we do, making sure that we drive jobs and investment but also cultural and people-to-people links, not just with the big cities but also with the regions of Ireland and counties like Offaly. I would be very happy to work with the Deputy, chambers of commerce, Offaly County Council and others on how we might explore...