Results 741-760 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 231 together. Since October 2023, Ireland has provided over €75 million in support to the Palestinian people, together with 116 tonnes of relief supplies for people in Gaza. On 2 March, the Israeli authorities announced that they would block humanitarian aid entering Gaza. No assistance has been allowed in the eight weeks since then,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: This Department does not hold any contract(s) with the company referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I am pleased to confirm that at the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council, in March 2025, Ireland co-sponsored the Resolution on Older Persons. This Resolution decides to establish an open-ended intergovernmental working group of the Human Rights Council with the mandate of elaborating and submitting a draft international legally binding instrument on the human rights of older persons with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Since taking up the role of Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I have had regular meetings with heads of mission, both virtually and in person, including in group format. In my first week in office, I met virtually with all US-based heads of mission. This was followed by a virtual meeting with all ambassadors in Europe. On 25 February, I participated in a town...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Secretary General of my Department holds a monthly town hall meeting with all staff, including all ambassadors. The most recent town hall took place on 26 March 2025. A meeting of all heads of mission will also take place in Dublin from 6-8 May 2025, where I and the Management Board of the Department will have the opportunity to meet with all of our ambassadors. In addition, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service issued over one million passports in 2024. To date in 2025, the Passport Service has issued over 365,000 passports. 2025 is expected to be another busy year for the Passport Service and my Department is in an excellent position to meet the demand forecasted for the busy summer season. I am pleased to say that the Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for employees with disabilities, and to ensuring equality of opportunity in all its employment practices in line with the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 and its obligations under part 5 of the Disability Act 2005. The Department’s Human Resources Strategy 2023-2027, and Gender, Equality,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The urgent need to address the conflict in the Middle East remains a priority for Ireland. Ireland’s engagement on the situation in Israel and Palestine is guided by the need for respect for international law, respect for the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and unwavering support for the two-State solution. Across...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policies (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 215, 216, 217 and 218 together. I propose to take question 215, 216, 217 and 218 together. Ireland has been a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) since 2011. Since the adoption of the non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism by the IHRA plenary in 2016, my Department has had frequent contact with other...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The extensive economic relationship between Ireland and the United States delivers prosperity and employment on both sides of the Atlantic. Protecting and developing the two-way trade and investment is a priority for me at a time of significant turbulence in the global trading environment. Securing insights on how best to position Ireland to navigate the international trading environment...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Information and Communications Technology (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: All information systems in use in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can utilise the síneadh fada.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Directives (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department has no EU Directives awaiting transposition at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not own or lease any properties within this jurisdiction. The Office of Public Works is responsible for all accommodation utilised by this Department within the State.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Bidvest Noonan provides cleaning services for all DFA buildings except Iveagh House. The contract has an approximate annual value of €800,000.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Manguard provides contacted security services to the Department. The value of the contract is approximately €360,000 per annum.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The EU-Israel Association Agreement provides that the relations between the parties will be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which constitute an 'essential element' of that Agreement. On 14 February 2024, the then Taoiseach and Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The resolution to which the Deputy refers elaborates on the obligations arising for Israel, for all states and for international organisations arising from Israel's unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in the field of trade. Article 4 of the resolution calls upon all States to comply with their obligations under international law, inter alia, as reflected in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, recent developments in the global trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements (FTAs). EU FTAs support more opportunity for exports and investment, help support jobs and growth at home, maintain strict EU standards on food safety, animal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (29 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has always been a strong supporter of EU enlargement, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary requirements for membership. We firmly believe that it is through EU membership that peace and prosperity can best be ensured across our continent. We welcome recent momentum on EU enlargement, while maintaining the importance of a merit-based accession process, with alignment...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (29 Apr 2025)

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