Results 761-780 of 47,419 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 104 together. I wish to thank the Deputies for raising this case. I appreciate that this is an extremely difficult situation for the citizen and his family, and I am acutely aware that the situation in Gaza is appalling and deteriorating. As the Deputies will know, Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in...

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

Simon Harris: I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this case. I appreciate that this is an extremely difficult situation for the individual concerned and their family, and I am acutely aware that the situation in Gaza is appalling and deteriorating. As the Deputy will know, Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and continues to urge all parties to do...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026. It will be an important opportunity for Ireland to lead and shape the European agenda, and the Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency in 2026. Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency are well underway across both policy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Nuclear Proliferation (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Achieving a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons is a long-standing priority for Ireland. We continue to actively work towards this goal, including through our leadership in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Ireland views the TPNW as an important and necessary addition to the disarmament and non-proliferation...

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

Simon Harris: My Department, including Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide, provides passport and consular assistance to Irish citizens at home and abroad. The provision of these services to Irish citizens is a cornerstone of the work of the officials in my Department. The Passport Service through its ‘Digital First’ agenda has delivered significant benefits for citizens, both at...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, On 24 June, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025. The scheme delivers on the commitment in the Programme for Government to progress legislation prohibiting the import of goods from settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, following the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Following negotiations in Scotland on 27 July, the EU and US reached a deal on reciprocal trade. This deal means that the higher tariffs that had been threatened will not now take effect and that the EU will not impose its own countermeasures. This deal provides much needed certainty for Irish, European and American businesses who together represent the most integrated trading relationship in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The global economic environment is changing. National and supranational policies on international trade are increasingly being shaped by protectionism and national security and geo-strategic concerns, including in some of Ireland’s largest trade partners. To effectively navigate this more challenging international trading environment, the Government is committed to having the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 119 together. Ireland engages regularly with the Palestinian Authority on a range of issues, including at political level. I met with President Abbas in September of last year in New York in my capacity as Taoiseach during the United Nations High Level week. I also spoke with him by telephone in December 2024, and in May 2024 following...

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

Simon Harris: The Passport Service is responding well to demand during the busy summer period, with virtually all complete passport applications being processed within or well before advertised turnaround times. Over half of adult renewal applications are processed within 2 working days. The Passport Service has issued over 615,000 passport books and cards to date in 2025. There are currently...

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

Simon Harris: The Passport Service is responding well to demand during the busy summer period, with virtually all complete passport applications being processed within or well before advertised turnaround times. Over half of adult renewal applications are processed within 2 working days. To date this year, the Passport Service has issued over 615,000 passports. The Passport Service takes every...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland’s support for Ukraine is steadfast and remains a key focus of my engagements with my EU counterparts, both bilaterally and in Brussels. This war, and the threat posed by Russia, is not only an existential issue for Ukraine, but a major challenge to the security of Europe. It is right, therefore, that support for Ukraine remains a top priority for the EU. Russian aggression...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: It has been the long established position of the Irish government that the Brown family must have access to a mechanism which is compliant with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This is something that has never been provided to them. The various investigations conducted since the murder have failed to provide the answers needed by the Brown family, and they have waited too...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (29 Jul 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. 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 fit-for-purpose mechanisms to...

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

Simon Harris: The positions occupied by civil servants employed by my Department and the full-time equivalents serving in each grade as at 30 June 2025 is set out in tabular form below. Grade FTE Secretary General 1.00 Assistant Secretary and above 31.00 Counsellor/Principal Officer and Equivalent 137.6 ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Equipment (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Increasing ICT capability is a key pillar of my Department's Digital Transformation Strategy. The Department continues to recruit appropriate ICT and Cybersecurity staff via the Public Appointments Service at all levels including from the ICT Apprenticeships under the Civil Service scheme. Where necessary, these roles are complimented by outsourced expertise. All ICT and Cybersecurity...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 to 129, inclusive, together. Protecting and developing the extensive two-way trade and investment relationship between Ireland and the United States in the current unpredictable international trading environment is a high priority for me as Tánaiste and for the Government as a whole. The Government will continue to prioritise ensuring that we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad, including in cases of detention, is a cornerstone of the work of officials in my Department. I place a strong emphasis on ensuring that Irish citizens receive timely and empathetic consular assistance in accordance with the Department’s Consular...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (29 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union are now intensifying across both policy and operational strands of planning. As part of the preparations, my Department is currently recruiting for temporary positions in Dublin and Brussels to be filled in the lead up to, and during, the Irish Presidency. Some of those appointed will work in my Department...

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

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 135 together. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and continues to urge all parties to do everything possible to support efforts underway to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal. My Department, including Irish Embassies and Consulates worldwide,...