Results 661-680 of 45,281 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: No project funding support was received by my Department, or any bodies under the aegis of my Department, from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), over the period from 2016 to date in 2025.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have advised that it will not be possible to answer the question in the manner requested by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have advised it has not been possible to provide the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The details requested cannot be provided in the time allowed. I have asked my officials to collate this data and I will arrange to provide it directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The following table sets out the gender breakdown of my Department in respect of Principal Officers, Assistant Secretaries and Secretaries General as at 10th February 2025. Grade Male Female Total Secretary General 0 1 1 Assistant Secretary 2 3 5 Principal Officer ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The current number of vacancies for each of the requested positions are as follows: Position Vacancies Establishment Dentist 3 7 Doctor 5 28 Nurse N/A N/A Pharmacist 1 3 A Review of the provision of Medical Services has recently...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: There are no plans to issue a tender in 2025 for the provision of a replacement for LÉ Róisín, which has recently completed a mid life extension programme. Equipment priorities for the Defence Forces are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes underpinned by significant increases in funding,...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have provided the requested information, as at 12 February 2025, on the breakdown by gender of General Service Recruits (GSR) in recruit training for each of the three branches of the Defence Forces. The information is outlined in the table below. Army Male Army Female Air Corp Male Air Corp Female Naval Service...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: A contract was signed with Airbus Spain in 2019 for two Airbus C-295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft for manufacture in Seville and these aircraft were delivered in 2023. In 2022, a second contract for one Military Transport variant Airbus C-295 was signed with Airbus and is due for delivery later this year. The Airbus C-295 aircraft are not fitted with Helionix. Since the ICJ advisory opinion...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 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. 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. There were 69 main...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Military Neutrality (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As set out in the Programme for Government, this Government intends to reform the Triple Lock legislation whilst also ensuring that amendments to the legislation are in keeping with our values and policy of military neutrality. To be clear firstly on what the 'triple lock' means; the 'triple lock' is a mechanism that sets out the conditions under which Irish troops may participate in...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The details requested cannot be provided in the time allowed. I have asked my officials to collate this data and provide it directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Properties (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Defence does not have any sites that would be classified as undeveloped. The Department's lands are all active military installations for operational and training purposes.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have provided the following information, as at 14 February 2025, in respect of Engine Room Artificers in the Naval Service: Establishment 85 Strength 53* Vacancies 32 *includes 16 personnel undergoing training to become Engine Room Artificers. Vacancies are filled in line with promotional...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Candidates applying for positions in the Defence Forces are required to meet specific criteria, which include medical standards for military service, as laid down in Defence Forces Regulations, made pursuant to the Defence Act 1954, as amended and extended. These medical standards are based on the professional advice of the Medical Corps and having regard to the nature of the job, the duties...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Artificial Intelligence (18 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: In line with the National AI Strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for business purposes under review. The use of AI, as with all enabling technologies, will be considered on a solution by solution basis. Any such...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I addressed this matter yesterday. I also note what the Ceann Comhairle has said in recent days and very much respect that. What I want to say, to be helpful to the House, is a disciplinary process will commence. I do not want to say anything that in any way cuts across that or, indeed, impedes on people's privacy and the need to respect the person's privacy in terms of the woman here...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I will try to get the Deputy some specific information on the cost of that attack to Ireland from an economic point of view. The issue of cybersecurity is taken extraordinarily seriously. The Deputy will note in the programme for Government our plans to relocate cybersecurity to the heart of the Department of Justice, which, I think, is appropriate, and also for the Government to produce a...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am aware of his passion in the area of active travel on behalf of his constituents and, indeed, the benefits that it brings in terms of the climate and the capital city. I have looked into this matter. What I have basically been told is that one of the reasons for the larger budget in 2024 than in 2025 related to a specific scheme called the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (13 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy Ó Snodaigh. I myself visited the Digital Hub in recent years and I am aware of the excellent work it does in the community in the city and the positive impact it has had on job creation over a long number of years. I will get the Deputy an accurate answer to the question as to where its future lies in terms of the various organisations involved and I will ask the...