Results 581-600 of 45,480 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: A key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government. At present, the Naval Service operate a selection of non-military specification drones which are utilised for a range of tasks; including search...

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

Simon Harris: The Government recently approved the drafting of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 along the lines of a General Scheme prepared by my Department. The drafting of the Bill will be progressed in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. It is intended that this Bill will consolidate, with amendments, the existing provisions in the Defence Acts concerning the despatch of members of...

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

Simon Harris: With regard to the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. The changing nature of demands and potential future mission profiles need to be considered in the context of assets and capabilities which can be made available by the Defence Forces...

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

Simon Harris: Pay funding for Permanent Defence Force (PDF) personnel is provided from Subhead A.3: Permanent Defence Force: Pay in the Defence Vote. The table below outlines the allocation, expenditure and unspent allocation within this subhead, over the period from 2018 to 2024. A.3 PDF PAY Allocation €m Expenditure €m Allocation Unspent €m ...

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. This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security...

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

Simon Harris: As of the 31 January 2025, the military authorities advise that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,497 personnel. The table at the link below provides the establishment and current strength, by Branch and rank, in addition to the variances between those figures that detail over establishment (+) and vacancies (-). A total of 708 personnel were inducted into the...

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

Simon Harris: The Naval Service currently has a fleet of eight Commissioned vessels. Four of the vessels are available for operations including the three P60 class vessels which conduct patrols on a rotation basis. In addition, the L.É. Aoibhinn (P70) is also deployed on Maritime Defence and Security Operations (MDSO). The composition of a ship’s crew is complex and requires suitably qualified...

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

Simon Harris: I would like to express my gratitude to the European Commission and individual Member States who offered assistance in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn, a record-breaking storm that brought unprecedented levels of damage and destruction. The Air Corps' Airbus C295, a maritime surveillance aircraft with limited cargo capacity, was assessed as capable of assisting with the generator transport....

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

Simon Harris: All former members of the Defence Forces can gain access to their military records (albeit that third party information will be redacted to protect the personal data of others) by submitting an application to the Freedom of Information Office (FOI) Office or the Data Protection Office (DPO) of the Defence Forces. An application may be made to either office and the personal file will be...

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...