Results 641-660 of 47,732 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Emergency Services (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Air Corps operates the Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service based on the 2015 Government Decision. The Government Decision established the EAS service on a permanent basis and provided that it would operate as a daily, daytime only service based out of Custume Barracks, Athlone. Since the commencement of this service in June 2012, the Air Corps has completed over 4554 missions with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The original Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) set out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The most recent iteration of the IDP estimated infrastructure requirements to be in the region of some €359m for the coming years. At the end of 2024 there were over €230m worth of projects underway at different stages of development. This level...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time in 2026 - from 1 July to 31 December. Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are now intensifying across both policy and operational strands of planning both within my Department and the Defence Forces, and across Government. As well as working closely with the Defence Forces, my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: While specific details in relation to current Defence Forces capabilities are subject to normal operational security reporting restrictions, and are not disclosed for these reasons, a key priority for me as Minister for Defence is to ensure that capabilities are maintained, developed and enhanced in order that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government. ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: It has not been possible to collate the information within the required time frame. I will revert to the Deputy when the information requested is available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The 2025 Naval Service Cadetship competition was launched in March and closed for applications in April. The Naval Service Cadets were attested in September. There are no plans to launch a further cadetship recruitment campaign for the Naval Service in 2025.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: In advance of, and following the publication of the EU's White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030, my officials and I have engaged constructively in discussions on enhancing Europe’s defence readiness. As a continuation of these discussions, the informal European Council on 1 October discussed various matters including the recent violations of air space of Member...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: National Security (7 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to advise the Deputy that I am aware of the threat posed by the shadow fleet to critical maritime infrastructure and to the maritime environment from potential pollution incidents. From a defence perspective, the Defence Forces routinely monitor foreign vessels transiting Irish waters with both Naval Service assets and Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft, as well as remote monitoring on...

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I agree with all of that, and I will ask the Minister for communications to make the point Deputy Moynihan to ComReg. I can say, as a relatively young person that there is a place for technology, but sometimes you just want to be able to talk to a human being. There are some things that AI and other technologies cannot do yet at least. Emotional intelligence is quite important as well....

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: It is always a pleasure to talk to you.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: It would be fair to say that I have an open mind and do not rule anything out at this stage.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I very much get what the Deputy is endeavouring to do here. I say that in a constructive sense. He is trying to reflect the genuine concerns that people have across our country and the wish that everybody has to play every possible role they can in using every lever at their disposal. I am not against the principle of that at all but I have not truthfully considered or read the Bill in...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, about that too.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes, it is. The Deputy has the benefit of having slightly more information than I do since I have come into this House. Irish citizens having absolute access to legal representation is important. My understanding from my earlier call with our ambassador and others was that a number of our citizens had already identified potential sources of legal representation on the ground.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I think that is what the Deputy is bringing me up to speed on. I will take that up as soon as I leave here.

Ceisteanna ó na Comhaltaí Eile - Other Members’ Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Moynihan for his kind words about the officials in my Department and the work that they are endeavouring to carry out, particularly those in Israel, Ramallah and in the region, and indeed our consular services here in Dublin. I am grateful for all they do and appreciate the Deputy's words. I join him in expressing our sincere sympathies and condolences to those affected by...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I will answer the question but first, Deputy Bacik asked a question about the number of Irish citizens. I want to give the House the best information I have. When I came into this House, we had confirmed that 14 Irish citizens have been detained. I am aware that there are 16 Irish citizens in total but one of them may be a dual citizen so I think that might be where the 15-16 issue arises....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Taoiseach made the point at the UN General Assembly, in delivering the national statement, that we want to make sure Ireland also puts in place exclusionary measures from our country for extremist Israeli ministers. Obviously, we are not in the Schengen area so there is a different way we have to do it compared with how many other European countries did it. My understanding is the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes, I am. It should be done in a way that is European in the sense that sometimes, it just makes more sense if there are a number of European countries. Certain countries can have vessels in the area, etc., and speed can sometimes be of the essence, so yes, I am. I do not wish to speak for other countries at all but my understanding of the purpose for the presence of some of those...