Results 641-660 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, further supporting documents for this application were received on 30 April 2025. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this case with me. I have requested that officials in my Department make contact with your constituency office to discuss this case further and to explore how best we can assist the citizen. I want to assure the Deputy that my Department will provide all possible consular assistance to the citizen in accordance with the Department’s Consular...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: Intensive and constructive work has been ongoing since last autumn, at both official and political level, between the Irish and British governments to determine if we can find adequate common ground to move forward together on legacy. I have been clear that the UK Legacy Act, as it stands, is not fit for purpose. In addressing the legacy of the Troubles, there is a need to develop...

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

Simon Harris: The Passport Service is successfully responding to the current level of demand for passports and has issued over 390,000 passports and passport cards to date this year. To date this year we have received 26,997 online applications from Cork – 22,271 of these have been fully processed and dispatched. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland like many other countries in Europe has witnessed a fundamental change in our security environment with an increased focus on maritime security and the protection of sub-sea cables. The security of Ireland’s sub-sea infrastructure is a matter of utmost importance with maritime security representing a priority action area for this Government. The...

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

Simon Harris: The following table lists the IT projects undertaken by my Department in the years 2020 to date, which have been allocated funds in excess of €1million; Project/Year Purpose Initial estimate € (Ex. VAT) Spend to date * € (Ex. VAT) Estimated cost to complete€ (Ex. VAT) Estimated total contract cost€ (Ex....

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

Simon Harris: The Arbitration Board made a ruling in respect of the post of Director of Military Prosecutions, following an appeal by the Official Side (of the C&A Scheme) on a previous finding by the then Adjudicator. This ruling is being examined by Officials in my Department and I understand that a recommendation will be made to me shortly on the matter.

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

Simon Harris: A review of all medical services provided to Defence Forces personnel has been undertaken. The report is currently being examined and it is expected that it will be submitted for my consideration shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Sector Staff (8 May 2025)

Simon Harris: There are three bodies under the aegis of my Department; the Army Pensions Board, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces and the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces (EOB), which was placed on a statutory basis on 1 December 2024. The civil service support staff for those bodies are included in the data for the Department. In addition to Civil Servants, my Department also employs a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The Special Delegation of Ireland to the Papal Funeral Mass on Saturday 26 April 2025 was led by President Michael D. Higgins and included Mrs Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, Tánaiste Simon Harris TD, and the Ambassador of Ireland to the Holy See Frances Collins. The accompanying delegation for the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, consisted of a total of fourteen officials,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (7 May 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: Official Engagements (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12, 13 and 14 together. Ireland’s relationship with the United States is based on rich connections – political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people. Developing and deepening these links is a top priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, just as it is for this Government. There is a long history of visits to Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that officials in my Department and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany, are aware of this case. I can further confirm that officials in the Irish Embassy 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 Embassy of Ireland, Germany, stand ready to provide consular assistance, should the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: There are two Ministers of State at my department, Mr Thomas Byrne TD and Mr Neale Richmond TD. On 29 January 2025, Minister Byrne was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, and Minister Richmond was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora. The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No.2) Act, 1977 provides...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I remain extremely concerned by the negative trajectory of the situation on the ground in Israel and in Palestine. My focus and that of the Government is on supporting international efforts to bring about the immediate cessation of hostilities, a return to the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, and its full implementation including the release of hostages and the resumption of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: As a small, highly globalised economy, it is of the utmost importance that we maintain a strategic focus on the international trading environment. The Government's Trade Forum plays an important role facilitating direct engagement between Government Ministers and key stakeholders and experts as we shape the national, multifaceted response to the trade challenges facing the country and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cycling Policy (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The number of applications for the Cycle to Work Scheme within my Department for the period 2020 - 2024 is set out in the table below. Year Number of Applicants 2020 42 2021 45 2022 46 2023 50 2024 42

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this case. I am sorry to learn of the citizen’s situation and I appreciate that this is a difficult period for them and their family. I can confirm that officials in my Department and the relevant Embassy are aware of this case and are providing ongoing consular assistance to the family. Embassy officials have engaged with the family on a number...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: The sinking of the RMS Leinster in the Irish Sea in 1918 resulted in huge loss of life of people from many parts of the world. The work of the RMS Leinster Memorial Committee in ensuring that this maritime disaster, and the many lives lost, are not forgotten is very important. For this reason, the government supported a significant commemorative event in Dún Laoghaire in 2018 to mark...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (7 May 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Hayes for the question. My Department publishes advice for outward travel in respect of more than 200 countries and territories. The advice provides an objective assessment of the risks individuals could face if travelling overseas. This is done with a view to trying to help them to make informed decisions for themselves. The advice is based on consultation with our embassies...