Results 601-620 of 45,281 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Irish and US authorities are in regular dialogue on matters of reciprocal travel rights between Ireland and the US. However, visa fees charged to Irish students studying in the United States are entirely a matter for the relevant US authorities. We are aware that the US authorities in assessing the reciprocal treatment that they apply to Irish students in regard to visa fees and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's approach to foreign policy. Where human rights concerns exist, Ireland regularly raises concerns on these matters with our partners, both in bilateral meetings as well as in the appropriate international fora. In August 2022, the previous UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Michelle Bachelet, released...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Court of Justice (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland recognises that it is the responsibility of the European Commission to monitor whether EU member states apply EU laws correctly and on time. If national authorities fail to implement EU laws, it is also the responsibility of the European Commission to decide whether to initiate formal infringement proceedings against the country in question. The infringement procedure allows the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service follows the recommended passport guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with regard to children's passports. The ICAO is an UN agency whose guidelines state that, in consideration of the changing appearance of children, a validity period of not more than five years is recommended in the case of children’s passports. Issuance of passports...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Consultations (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs). A table of external legal consultation engaged by my Department in Ireland during 2023, 2024 and 2025 to date is set out in the table below, along with any expenditure. My Department engages external legal expertise in line with national and EU procurement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this matter has been resolved.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Procurement Contracts (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs). There are no agencies under the aegis the Department. The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure in order to achieve best value for money. Procurement takes place in the context of Directive 2014/24/EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Procurement Contracts (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes - Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs). There are no agencies under the aegis the Department. The policy of the Department is to operate competitive tendering as standard procedure in order to achieve best value for money. Procurement takes place in the context of Directive 2014/24/EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: In 2024, the Passport Service issued more than 1 million passport books and cards. There were 7,726 passports issued to Carlow residents in 2024. The Passport Service forecasts that more than 940,000 passport applications will be submitted in 2025. Based on these figures, the Passport Office estimates that in 2025, there will be approximately 6,800 applications from residents of County...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As stated in PQ 2761/25 & PQ4092/25, I will publish versions of the Ministerial briefs prepared by departmental officials for me as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Minister of State with special responsibility for European Affairs and the Minister of State with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, with redactions made in line...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The EU-Israel Association Council took place in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 February. In line with the position I set out at the Foreign Affairs Council in January, the Association Council provided an opportunity for full and frank engagement with Israel on issues of concern, on the wider EU-Israel relationship and for the delivery of key messages at a critical moment for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Egypt is an important partner for Ireland on the Middle East and has played a key role in responding to the current crisis in Gaza. Together with Qatar and the United States, Egypt facilitated negotiations with Hamas and with Israel on a ceasefire and hostage release deal. In December 2024, Egypt hosted a humanitarian conference on Gaza in Cairo, as part of efforts to increase international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Regulations (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), agreed by the Council of the European Union in 2023, was designed to meet the urgent short-term need for the EU and its member states to support the ramping-up of manufacturing capacities of the European defence industry and to secure supply chains. Financial support from the ASAP is funded through an allocation of a budget of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together. The Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery to support the achievement of the high-level goals as set out in White Paper 2015. The programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to provide for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the inception of the Infrastructure Development Plan, my Department has made considerable efforts to ensure that as many defence infrastructure projects as reasonably possible are fitted with either solar panels or other energy-efficient technologies. All projects being now undertaken include renewable measures in line with the requirements introduced under the relevant building...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: There are currently three (3) vacant and seventy-nine (79) uninhabitable such housing units that are in the following locations: Cork, eleven (11); Dublin, eight (8), Kildare, sixty-three (63). None of the uninhabitable properties can be brought up to a habitable standard without significant work, and many of these properties were built prior to the introduction of building regulations. As...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As Minister, 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. At the Informal EU leaders' retreat of 3rd February last, EU leaders discussed key aspects relating to European defence, including the development of collective capabilities, how best to use the EU...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Consultations (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Unfortunately the information sought by the Deputy could not be collated in the timeframe provided. My officials will collate same and I will arrange to have this data provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department has a corporate membership of the institution referred to by the Deputy. The institution delivers research and policy insights and provides opportunities for the exchange of views and information on matters related to the Defence sector. The annual cost of membership for the past four years is set out in the table below. 2021 2022 2023 2024...