Results 441-460 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Equipment (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department's core IT infrastructure is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' Shared Service My Department uses Microsoft Teams as part of the Department’s collaboration and communication platform. Microsoft Teams is included in the user productivity suite of services provided to all staff in my...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Equipment (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department currently utilises Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) as our cloud service providers. The Department is currently implementing a five year Technology Strategy and Roadmap. It is aligned with ‘Connecting Government 2030: A Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service’ which has a core principle of ‘Digital by Default and Cloud...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Equipment (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department uses Lotus Notes (also known as IBM Lotus Notes) for a small number of legacy systems. The Department is currently implementing a five year Technology Strategy and Roadmap which includes migrating legacy applications to modern, enterprise level platforms.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (22 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department’s internet service is provided through the Government Networks shared service which is delivered by the Office of the Government CIO in DPENDR. As such, my Department does not currently use a commercial internet service provider.

Gaza: Statements (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: It was a smear against the Taoiseach.

Gaza: Statements (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Gaza: Statements (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: We gather for these statements today with warnings ringing in our ears that thousands of children are at risk of death in the coming days. According to UNICEF, more than 15,000 children in Gaza have been killed, more than 34,000 injured and nearly 1 million displaced. Gaza has the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world and 17,000 children are unaccompanied or separated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, recent developments in the global trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements (FTAs). EU FTAs support more opportunity for exports and investment, help support jobs and growth at home, maintain strict EU standards on food safety, animal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I have been following with concern the tensions between India and Pakistan which resulted in military exchanges between the two countries in recent weeks. I welcome the complete and immediate ceasefire that was announced on 10th May and which has now been extended indefinitely. It is positive that communication channels have reopened between both countries and I very much hope that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I have been consistent in my view that the UK Legacy Act, as it stands, is not fit for purpose. At the same time, in addressing the legacy of the Troubles, I know there is a need to develop fit-for-purpose mechanisms to seek truth and justice for victims and their families. We must strive towards that valuable prize. To that end, intensive and constructive work has been ongoing with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: In discussions with the UK Government on reform of the UK Legacy Act, I have two core guiding principles: compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights and seeking to secure the confidence of victims and survivors. Issues around disclosure form part of these discussions. I raised the issue of disclosure with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during our recent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland currently has 94 embassies and consulates general in 72 countries, as set out in the table below. There are plans to open embassies in Serbia (Belgrade); Moldova (Chisinau) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo); and consulates general in Spain (Málaga) and Australia (Melbourne). It is planned all of these will be fully operational by 2027. In addition to these bilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Freedom of Speech (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that officials in my Department and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany, are aware of the matter raised by the Deputy. I can further confirm that officials in the Irish Embassy in Berlin have engaged with the relevant German authorities on the matter. I wish to assure the Deputies that officials in my Department and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany, stand ready to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (21 May 2025)

Simon Harris: In December 2024 the Department of Defence signed a contract for the delivery of four German-made Airbus H145M helicopters which will provide a modern light-utility helicopter capability for the Air Corps. They will replace the present ageing fleet of two EC-135s, which have reached the end of their useful service life. The value of the contract is €91.7 million ex. VAT and it is...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Anti-Racism Measures (20 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is clear and on the record. I note that this question pertains to equality policy, but in light of the particular focus of the question, I will answer from a foreign affairs perspective. The IHRA working definition of antisemitism is intended to be a useful tool to help identify manifestations of antisemitism, which...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Trade Agreements (20 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 191, 200 and 201 together. The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, recent developments in the global trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements (FTAs). EU FTAs support more opportunity for exports and investment, help support jobs and...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: EU Presidency (20 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. During the six-month Presidency, Ireland will be responsible for driving the EU policy agenda and advancing work on EU legislative and policy initiatives. Irish Ministers and officials will chair most meetings in the framework of the Council of Ministers, and will represent the Council in its...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Cross-Border Co-operation (20 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The New Decade New Approach agreement reached in January 2020 was a significant achievement by the political parties in Northern Ireland and the two governments to restore the power-sharing institutions first established by the Good Friday Agreement. We remain fully committed to the full implementation of the agreement. I am aware of the matter raised by the Deputy in respect of a funding...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Human Rights (20 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I am aware of the continued detention of this person. At my request, officials in my Department recently met with his wife and family members and representatives to discuss his ongoing detention. It is important to be clear that the person in question is a United Kingdom citizen. It is therefore the UK authorities, and their Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, that hold the consular...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Official Engagements (20 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China to Ireland, Zhao Xiyuan , presented credentials to President Higgins on the 11th of February 2025. On 16th February, on the occasion of a visit to Ireland by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, I hosted the Minister and his delegation - including Ambassador Zhao - for productive talks in Iveagh House.