Results 401-420 of 45,291 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: There is currently no intention to purchase military equipment from Israel. Since the ICJ advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, the Department has included provisions in its tender documentation regarding the right to reject offers from third countries, which includes Israel, on defence and security grounds, in line with the Commission guidance on the procurement of defensive equipment under...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department has no record of any payments made to the company referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Payment of flying pay is provided for in Defence Force Regulation, S3 paragraph 19, as follows: "A non-commissioned Officer or private, filling a vacancy in the establishment of the Air Corps or Air Support Company, Communications and Information Services Corps, in one the occupations, as set out below, and engaged on duties which require to be carried out in the air shall, receive flying...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Flying pay is provided for in Defence Force Regulations S3, as follows: - A non-commissioned Officer or private, filling a vacancy in the establishment of the Air Corps or Air Support Company, Communications and Information Services Corps, in one the occupations, as set out below, and engaged on duties which require to be carried out in the air shall, receive flying pay. Those...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Staff (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Special advisers are appointed to me as Tánaiste, Minister for Defence and also as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Up until the formation of new government in January of this year, all advisers were employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs and as such, their salary and expenses were administered by that Department, other than in relation to travel specially related to Defence. The...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: There are no buildings owned or leased by my Department in Dublin 8, 10 or 12. There is one piece of land owned by my Department at a site in Islandbridge, Dublin 8. This site is currently in use by the Defence Forces Rowing Club and this will continue for the foreseeable future. It has not been identified as surplus to requirements nor is it underutilised.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I can advise the Deputy that the following works were carried out at the Equitation School and Stables at McKee Barracks in recent years: Year Project Cost incl. VAT (including design team) 2018 Refurbishment of Stable Block (Phase 2) €754, 411.76 2017 Re-roofing Stables (Phase 1) ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Legislative Measures (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to inform the Deputy that the Heads of Bill regarding amendments to Overseas Deployments 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...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: State Bodies (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that my Department has engaged with Codec on the development and roll-out of the Civil Defence Volunteer and Equipment Management System (VEMS). This digital transformation project manages registration of volunteers, Garda vetting, volunteer training, competencies, deployments, equipment maintenance and ordering stock. The system includes an online portal where Civil Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together. The Curragh, as State land vested in the Minister for Defence, is recognised as a working environment for the state's Defence Forces as well as being a place of historical and cultural importance. At approximately 4,870 acres, the Plains represent one of the most open and accessible areas in the country. This has presented a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Bodies (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Following publication of the report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) an External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces (EOB), was established, initially on a non-statutory basis. The Body’s Terms of Reference were published in July 2023. In line with the Terms of Reference, the Body reported on the performance and progress of the Defence Forces on the matters within the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Bodies (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Following a recommendation in the Report of the Independent Review Group (“the IRG”), published in March 2023, the External Oversight Body was established, on a non-statutory basis initially, to oversee the implementation of relevant recommendations of the IRG Report. The recommendations sought to increase transparency and accountability, and to bring about necessary changes to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Bodies (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Following publication of the report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) an External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces (EOB), was established, initially on a non-statutory basis. The Body’s Terms of Reference were published in July 2023. In line with the Terms of Reference, the Body reported on the performance and progress of the Defence Forces on the matters within the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Bodies (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Following publication of the report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) an External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces (EOB), was established, initially on a non-statutory basis. The Body’s Terms of Reference were published in July 2023. In line with the Terms of Reference, the Body reported on the performance and progress of the Defence Forces on the matters within the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The Plan is iterative in nature thus ensuring that it remains relevant and that investment is targeted where most needed. The programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ambulance Service (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised that the Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) resumed operations from its base at Custume Barracks, Athlone on the 18 March 2025. This follows the completion of a €1.5 million upgrade to the EAS hangar, which necessitated a temporary relocation of the service to Baldonnel. The new, state-of-the-art hangar provides essential space and facilities for Air Corps aircraft...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: United Nations (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. Ireland has a proud tradition of participation in UN and UN-authorised...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Projects (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Curragh, as State land vested in the Minister for Defence, is recognised as a working environment for the state's Defence Forces as well as being a place of historical and cultural importance. At approximately 4,870 acres, the Plains represent one of the most open and accessible areas in the country. This has presented a number of challenges for management...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 to 259, inclusive, together. There are currently one hundred and fifty-three (153) residential units under control of the Department of Defence. Seventy-one (71) of these are currently occupied and a further three (3) are vacant and requiring refurbishment. Seventy-nine (79) of the properties are currently uninhabitable. Status ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: In line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review. There are three bodies under the aegis of my Department; the Army Pensions Board, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces and the...