Results 581-600 of 45,281 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: There are two Votes in the Defence Vote Group, Vote 36 (Defence) and Vote 35 (Army Pensions). The provisional outturn for 2024 for Vote 36 (Defence) indicates a net surplus to be surrendered to the Exchequer of €9.0 million. This figure includes surplus Appropriations in Aid of €8.2 million, which, as the Deputy knows, cannot be used to fund additional expenditure and must...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have advised me that the strength of the Naval Service, as at 31 December 2024, the latest date for which this figure is available, stood at 719 personnel of an agreed establishment strength of 1,094. There are approximately 150 persons currently in full time training and therefore not available for assignment to Sea Going duties without significant disruption to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: A table containing requested induction figures, as provided by the military authorities for each year from 2019 to 2024, will be provided to the Deputy. I am advised that a total of 708 personnel were inducted into the Permanent Defence Force in 2024. The induction figure for last year compares very favourably with previous induction figures of 415 in 2023 and 435 in 2022 and, in fact,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (26 Feb 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 that regard, the expenditure outturn for 2023 was €208 m in capital and €697 m in current. The provisional 2024 outturns stand at €187 m and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities advise that as of the 31 December 2024, the latest date for which the requested figures are available for, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,557 personnel. The recruitment and retention challenges in the Defence Forces have been previously acknowledged. To address these, a range of measures have been implemented. These include an increase in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: A consultant was commissioned by the Defence Forces to assess the condition of the vacant housing in barracks and its suitability for conversion/refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Force personnel. A report for comment has recently been furnished to my Department and is currently being reviewed by my officials. Once my officials and the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I believe the Deputy may be referring to the Dublin City Coroner’s request to access certain information in support of the inquest which has been opened into the death of Private Rooney on 14th December 2022 in Lebanon, whilst serving as part of the Irish contingent in UNIFIL, and in particular the two UN reports linked to the incident. I consider it critical that full cooperation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The response to cyber threats remains a whole-of-Government challenge, with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications taking the lead role and with inputs in the security domain from An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The primary cybersecurity role of the Defence Forces is defending and securing the Defence Force’s own networks and systems. To...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The European Union (Resilience of Critical Entities) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 559 of 2024) were signed into law on the 15 October 2024. The Regulations sets out a range of duties and responsibilities for the competent authorities in relation to increasing their resilience. As part of this new regulatory framework my Department has commenced developing the first national strategy for the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Policy Review 2024, building on the 2015 White Paper, recognise that there is a requirement for Ireland to engage proactively with the UN, the EU, the OSCE and NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP). Cooperation with all international bodies and institutions shows Ireland's commitment to international peace and security. With regards to NATO, Ireland joined PfP in 1999....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 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: Naval Service (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Following reports in the media concerning the operational status of the weaponry on the P60 class a report is being prepared by the Chief of Staff. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further pending the matter being completed.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 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 Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 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 Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As recognised in the Report on the Commission on Defence Forces and accepted by Government, the Defence Forces needs to be capable of delivering military effects across the cyber domain. To that end the Defence Forces have established a new Joint Cyber Defence Command. This new Command will be able to conduct full-spectrum operations to robustly defend against cyber threats, support Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Foreign Birth Registration application has been approved. The certificate will issue shortly to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service initially requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 18 February 25. The final set of further supporting documents were received from the applicant on 20 February 25. The turnaround time following receipt of additional documents is 15 working days. This application is within the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Addressing the situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States, and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US will continue to be a priority for the Government as set out in the new Programme for Government. Efforts to advance have been made with successive US administrations, and this work will continue with the incoming US...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Addressing the situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States, and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US will continue to be a priority for the Government. Efforts to advance have been made with successive US administrations, and this work will continue with the incoming US administration, including at high level political...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Prison Service (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Justice contacted my Department with regard to their future of the Curragh Prison in May 2024. Department of Defence officials and members of the Defence Forces met with various officials from the Department of Justice and the Irish Prison Service (IPS) and surveyors working on behalf of IPS, on site at the Curragh Prison on at least five occasions between May and...