Results 41-60 of 45,231 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: In accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, the Secretary General is required to submit a new Strategy Statement, for Ministerial approval, within six months of the appointment of a new Minister. The current Strategy Statement was formally approved in October 2023 and covers the period 2023 to 2026 and a new Strategy Statement is currently being prepared by...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government sets out the Government's commitment to making significant investment in the defence sector over the coming years, and this builds on the already considerable investment made in recent years. In terms of infrastructure, the Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The capital...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (9 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: As Minister for Defence, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. The Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221, 228, 229 and 232 together. I can confirm that officials in my Department and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany, are aware of these reports. I can further confirm that my officials, both in Dublin and in Berlin, are engaging with the relevant German authorities on the matter. I wish to assure the Deputies that officials in my Department and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department and its network of missions across the United States play an important role in promoting the dynamic and mutually beneficial economic relationship between Ireland and the United States. This is a time of significant turbulence for the global trading environment. My views on tariffs are clear and on the record. I continue to attach the highest priority to our work to protect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Projects (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade invests its capital budget each year in a wide range of areas to ensure improved operations, to deliver the future infrastructural needs of the Department and provide enhanced services to citizens. Below is a listing that details the major capital projects undertaken, in excess of €500,000, in the period January 2020-March 2025: ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service has issued over 290,000 passports to date this year. The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high level of demand for passports, as citizens prepare for upcoming summer travel. Thanks to my Department’s operational and staffing plans, the Passport Service is successfully responding to the current level of demand. With regard to the Deputy's request for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The extensive economic relationship between Ireland and the United States delivers prosperity and employment on both sides of the Atlantic. Protecting and developing the two-way trade and investment is a priority for me as Tánaiste at a time of significant turbulence in the global trading environment. Securing insights on how best to position Ireland to navigate the international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland supports the essential role that UN Special Procedures mandate holders play in the international human rights system. Their work contributes to the development of international human rights standards and helps to raise public awareness on human rights issues. Both I and my officials will continue to defend the important role undertaken by all such mandate holders. The Special...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The following table shows the special advisers employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The appointment of special advisers are made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and are subject to Government approval. Role Minister Salary Scale Special Adviser Tánaiste Principal Officer ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. To meet this requirement, each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy with regard to both my engagements and those for Ministers of State Richmond and Byrne for the week ending 23 March 2025 is set out in the following tables: Tánaiste: Monday March 17th Irish Arts Centre in New York - meeting, tour and speech to community leaders Mayor’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Gender Recognition Act comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection. I am advised by the Department of Social Protection that the report of the Review Group for the Gender Recognition Act under section 7 of the Act included, at recommendation 2A, that legal recognition should be made available to people who are non-binary. This recommendation will, in part,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service has issued over 290,000 passports to date this year. The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high level of demand for passports, as citizens prepare for upcoming summer travel. Thanks to my Department’s operational and staffing plans, the Passport Service is successfully responding to the current level of demand. I would ask the Deputy to encourage her...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Projects (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is currently compiling the significant volume of information requested by the Deputy and will respond in full as soon as the required information has been collated.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry has been established to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces concerning workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. The Tribunal also has the power to investigate the response to complaints made regarding the use of hazardous chemicals within Air...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy may be aware that a consultant was commissioned by the Defence Forces to assess the condition of the vacant housing in barracks, including those in the Curragh Camp and its suitability for conversion/refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Force personnel. My officials will be reporting to me with recommendations on how to proceed...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The following table shows the number of personnel admitted to the Permanent Defence Force for each of the past five years, by gender: Year Male Female Total 2020 494 44 538 2021 532 44 576 2022 398 37 435 2023 378 37...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 266 together. The Curragh Museum located within the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp displays historic items of significance with regard to the State and the Defence Forces. My Department does not have a role in the operation of the Museum and does not provide direct funding in respect of same. The Museum is operated on a voluntary basis...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (8 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Two Special Advisers were assigned to support me in my role as Minister for Defence in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997. Their salary is aligned to the Civil Service Principal Officer salary scale. These appointments will be subject to forthcoming Government approval. Details in relation to each incoming Special Adviser will be laid before the Houses...