Results 61-80 of 47,797 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: Promoting respect for human rights is a core principle of Irish foreign policy. We consistently raise our concerns and promote human rights internationally, including through our Embassy network. It appropriate that I acknowledge here the positive reforms that Qatar has made especially with respect to workers’ rights, including its engagement with the International Labour...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Legal Cases (18 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not undertake any property development projects within this jurisdiction. The Office of Public Works is responsible for all accommodation utilised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade within the state.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (18 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act“). Section 7(1)(a) of that Act provides that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for the Minister for Foreign Affairs (“the Minister”) to issue a passport to that person. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit evidence to the satisfaction...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (18 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: In July 2025, the European Commission proposed to partially suspend Israel's participation to Horizon Europe. The proposed suspension specifically concerned the participation of entities established in Israel in activities funded under the Accelerator of the European Innovation Council (EIC). This proposed suspension was related to the review of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (18 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. FBR, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Cahill for raising this issue and for the comprehensive list of towns and townlands in County Kerry where there are challenges in relation to mobile phone coverage. I know the Minister for communications has a blackspot task force operating in his Department to identify these. It is quite peculiar how this happens. There are areas very much in the heart of urban and rural...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy always makes a very efficient use of his time. There are two important issues there. On the John McNeela case, it will require legislation. I have asked my officials to explore the most expeditious vehicle with which to take that forward. I will ask that a written update be sent to the Deputy very shortly on that. On the issue of school places, the Minister for education,...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I will ask the Minister to look at that too.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I wish to extend the sympathies of everybody, including my colleague, Deputy Michael Murphy, with Deputy Healy in relation to the people of Clonmel and the family of Monica del Bigio. It sounds like a remarkable life and contribution. May she rest in peace.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: This sounds like an extremely difficult and concerning case. I cannot, because I do not have information, make commitments on the floor of the Dáil in relation to people having medical procedures. I cannot do that but what I can do is ask that the transcript of what the Deputy has outlined be sent to the Minister for Health and that she would ask that the NTPF consider the Deputy's...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is entirely right. It is an enormous stressor. Verification is really important. The Deputy has made that point and it is absolutely correct. Child protection and all those aspects are really important and no one in this House would ever do anything to weaken that. We can move on from wondering if somebody will ever answer the telephone in a rural Garda station. Gardaí...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I have had the honour of meeting a number of people in Drogheda in terms of the Drogheda city campaign but also regarding this idea of making sure the town is adequately resourced and supported from a local authority point of view, the whole tug between the two counties and the likes of that.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I am aware of all that too. On the specifics relating to the train station, I ask the Deputy to allow me to ask the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, to take a look at this issue and to come back the Deputy directly and see what can be done.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: No.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Cummins for raising this issue. She is right. I have heard from people in relation to this issue too and I am pursuing it through my office. I will absolutely do as the Deputy has asked. The Minister and the Minister of State brought in a welcome reform, which I know the Deputy welcomed too, to try to get ahead of this and be able to properly plan earlier each year for the...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Sheehan for raising this matter and highlighting the issue Limerick Chamber has also raised with the Government. I thank the Deputy for the useful description he has given me of the issue in terms of not just the congestion, the traffic issues and the environmental issues that causes but also the dangers in terms of cars coming to a sudden halt. On foot of the Deputy raising...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Murphy very much for raising this issue. Garda attestations are one of the most joyous occasions I have attended in a variety of roles. Putting on the uniform of An Garda Síochána is an ultimate act of public service and I join with the Deputy in wishing everybody well tomorrow. I presume the Minister for justice will be in the Deputy's county tomorrow. I will...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I will certainly do those things on behalf of both the Deputy and his constituents. I will make contact, via the Minister, with An Post regarding the local postal service disruptions that people are experiencing. When I think back to the Covid period, which was a difficult period of time in our country, some of the unsung heroes I think of are the postmen and postwomen. I remember that we...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (13 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Burke for raising this matter and his work on promoting vaccination during his time in the Department of Health. I know it is an issue on which he worked very hard. I am told that we generally have one of the highest flu vaccine up-take rates for older adults in Europe. That is positive. I join the Deputy in reiterating to everyone the importance of getting that vaccine....