Results 361-380 of 45,231 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Statutory Instruments (6 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I will shortly sign the following Statutory Instrument (SI): Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations 2025. It will update the Diplomatic and Consular Fees Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 46 of 2013) (amended by the Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 259 of 2019)). The amendment will substitute the definition of Emergency Travel Certificates...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (6 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together. I welcome the publication of the report of the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) and thank the commissioners for it.While the IRC identify some positive developments, overall, the picture remains mixed. This report makes clear the unacceptable reality that paramilitary-linked intimidation, coercive control, and threats continue...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Statutory Instruments (6 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The majority of the statutory instruments brought forward by my Department comprise regulations made pursuant to Ministerial powers set out in various sections of the Defence Act, 1954. These regulations are made on a regular basis to update existing regulations in order to give effect to policy changes. In relation to the transposition and or further implementation of EU Directives, it...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (6 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Defence Forces are considered in the context of the established Capability Development and Equipment Development Planning processes, underpinned...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís (5 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Is é 1,976 líon iomlán na státseirbhíseach buan atá ag obair sa Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha. Astu sin, thug tuairim is 65 oifigeach le fios go bhfuil a ndóthain oilteachta acu chun ceisteanna ón bpobal i nGaeilge a láimhseáil go héifeachtach. Tuigeann an Roinn na dualgais atá uirthi faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Legislative Programme (5 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department has no pending EU legislation requiring to be transposed into Irish law.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together. The previous Government approved the move to ‘Level of Ambition 2’ (LOA2), as set out in the capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces in July, 2022. This provided for a rise in the Defence budget to €1.5 billion, in 2022 prices, by 2028, as part of the annual Estimates process, and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Measures (5 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to inform the Deputy that the Heads of Bill were presented to and approved by Cabinet on 4th March. The purpose of this Bill, which reflects the Government decision of 30 April 2024, is to consolidate, with amendments, the existing provisions in the Defence Acts concerning overseas despatch of members of the Defence Forces for service outside the State as a new Part of the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (5 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 18, inclusive, together. Under the UN Charter, the UN Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In fulfilling its mandate, the Security Council may adopt a range of measures, including the establishment of a UN peace mission or the authorisation of action by a group of States or a regional...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge sa Státseirbhís (5 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Tá 460 ball foirne san iomlán i mo Roinn faoi láthair, 9 (naonú) acu a bhfuil Gaeilge acu. Tá 13 bhall foirne eile ag glacadh páirte in oiliúint ag leibhéil éagsúla ó leibhéal na dtosaitheoirí go dtí an Teastas sa Ghaeilge Ghairmiúil. Reáchtáiltear cúrsaí Gaeilge trí Fhoghlaim Amháin go...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 195 together. Ireland has consistently condemned the gross, widespread and systematic human rights abuses by the Taliban across Afghanistan, particularly against women, girls and individuals from marginalised communities. My commitment and that of the Government to this issue, and particularly the systematic gender persecution now being perpetrated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Extradition Arrangements (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: In June 2020, Hong Kong introduced a new National Security Law which raised concerns about erosion of rights and freedoms; about the lack of safeguards and clarity in the law; and about its extraterritorial provisions. This law was followed by changes to Hong Kong's electoral system in March 2021; and a subsequent domestic national security law introduced in 2023 under the Basic Law (Hong...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Extradition Arrangements (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Article 29.5.1° of the Constitution provides that all international agreements are to be laid before Dáil Éireann upon their entry into force with respect to the State. The Department of Foreign Affairs arranges for the laying of international agreements following their entry into force with respect to Ireland. While an exception is provided in Article 29.5 for international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, supporting documents for this application were received on 21 February 2025. This application is within the standard turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the query about which the Deputy has raised, the Passport Service has contacted the citizen directly.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Australian Government will shortly be appointing a new Ambassador to Dublin, following the departure of former Ambassador Gary Gray last year. Once the new Ambassador has arrived, this will provide an opportunity to consider political level visits from Australia to Ireland. I would warmly welcome a visit to Ireland from the Australian Foreign Minister. Our two countries already enjoy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Four years on from the 2021 military coup, the situation in Myanmar remains of grave concern. Since October 2023, the conflict between the Myanmar Armed Forces and various armed groups has escalated. Significant areas of Myanmar are now under the control of non-state armed groups, and there have been increasingly brutal attacks by the military, with civilians bearing the brunt of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland remains extremely concerned at the ongoing erosion of human rights and democracy in Belarus. As was the case with the fraudulent 2020 and 2024 elections, the Belarusian presidential election on 26 January 2025 can be considered neither free nor fair. I am deeply conscious that the people of Belarus have once again been denied a real voice in the governing of their country. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I am aware that members of a European Parliament delegation undertaking an official programme were refused access to Israel. Lynn Boylan MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for relations with Palestine, has written to me about the experience of the delegation and is in contact with my officials. My officials have raised the experience of the European Parliament delegation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (4 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised that communications took place between the Irish Air Corps (IAC) and two drone operators regarding drone delivery operations in the vicinity of Casement Aerodrome during the period in question. These communications were of an information sharing nature and required no action by the military authorities. In January 2025, in the context of safeguarding operations at Casement...