Results 341-360 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: I am concerned by reports that a humanitarian aid ship was reportedly hit by a drone in international waters off the coast of Malta earlier this month. My officials in our Embassy in Malta are aware of these reports and understand that no Irish citizens were on board the vessel at the time of the alleged incident. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening daily. The entire...

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

Simon Harris: As a small, highly globalised economy, it is vital that we maintain a strategic focus on the international trading environment. In February, the Government agreed to my proposal to establish the Trade Forum, with the aim of providing a vehicle to directly engage with key stakeholders - including worker and employer representative groups - on the latest and emerging trade and investment...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland and our EU partners engage with Iran on a wide range of matters of concern in Iran and regarding Iranian policy. At the EU level, these issues were most recently discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council in February. They include Iran's support for Russia's illegal war of aggression in Ukraine, the arbitrary detention of EU citizens, internal repression of dissent and human rights...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland remains extremely concerned at the ongoing erosion of human rights and democracy in Belarus. We are deeply conscious that the people of Belarus have been continually denied access to free and fair elections and a real voice in the governing of their country. The Lukashenko regime's relentless and unprecedented repression of human rights, restrictions on political participation...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland, along with the European Union, has been resolute in the pursuit of accountability for Russia’s actions committed as part of its illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. Ireland was one of the 39 members of the “Core Group” present in Lviv on 9 May to endorse the draft legal instruments necessary to establish a Special Tribunal for the Crime of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cruinnithe an Aire (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Tar éis chruinniú na Comhairle Gnóthaí Eachtracha Dé Máirt seo caite, d’fhógair Ardionadaí an Aontais Eorpaigh go ndéanfaidh an tAontas Eorpach athbhreithniú ar Airteagal 2 den Chomhaontú Comhlachais idir an tAontas Eorpach agus Iosrael. Is cinneadh tábhachtach é seo, a léiríonn an imní mhór atá...

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

Simon Harris: Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East which remains a major priority for this Government. Ireland’s engagement is guided by our longstanding and principled position, notably respect for international law, respect for the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland has had extensive diplomatic and political relations with Canada since the foundation of the State, celebrating 85 years of diplomatic relations in 2024. There has been significant bilateral high-level political engagement in recent years. Over the St Patrick’s Day period in 2025, Minister Timmy Dooley visited Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. Prime Minister Mark Carney joined...

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

Simon Harris: The Government recognises the growing economic importance of India which is on course to become the third largest economy globally by the end of the decade. That is why I secured the approval of Government in March for an Action Plan aimed at enhancing our engagement with India. The action plan covers four strategic areas: strengthening bilateral political relations; maximising economic and...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. Our preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are now intensifying across both policy and operational strands of planning. The Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency in 2026. Work is underway to develop our...

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

Simon Harris: Membership of the United Nations has been at the heart of Ireland’s foreign policy for the past 70 years. Ireland’s foreign policy is rooted in a belief in multilateralism, a commitment to the rules-based international order and adherence to international law. The 70th anniversary of our UN membership, on 14 December this year, will be a suitable opportunity to reiterate our...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland’s consistent position remains that we need 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. It is a positive step that the President of the Commission, and the US President spoke by telephone this weekend which has...

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

Simon Harris: I was shocked and appalled at reports that the IDF fired shots in the vicinity of a visit to Jenin last week by a group of diplomats, including two Irish diplomats based in Ramallah. Fortunately, no one was hurt. This is completely unacceptable and I condemn it in the strongest terms. A senior official from my Department spoke with the Ambassador of Israel on the 21st of May to convey the...

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

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, both passports have been approved and dispatched.

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

Simon Harris: The Passport Service has contacted the applicant directly, in relation to the Deputy's request.

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

Simon Harris: This is a matter for the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to whom this question will be resubmitted.

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

Simon Harris: The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening daily. The entire population is facing high levels of food insecurity. More than 20% face starvation after 18 months of fighting, and almost 80 days of the Israeli blockade on vital, life-saving, humanitarian aid. The Government has consistently condemned any arrangement for humanitarian assistance that does not ensure access for the entire...

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

Simon Harris: Ireland’s position on the current situation was made very clear in the Tánaiste’s joint statement with the Foreign Ministers of Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain earlier this month. It called on Israel to to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (29 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The age limits for recruitment into both the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) are governed by Defence Force Regulations. The mandatory retirement and maximum recruitment ages for RDF personnel were amended in March 2024 and this resulted in the upper age limit for recruitment to the RDF being increased to 39 years of age. These increases are aligned with...