Results 901-920 of 45,480 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (13 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Doherty for raising this important question. There is no doubt this storm has caused significant chaos and hardship in many parts of this country, and disproportionately so in the west and north-west of the country; the Deputy is right in that regard. We are all collectively relieved in Ireland, most particularly those communities, that the power is finally back. I know that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (13 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (13 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice delivered an Advisory Opinion on the legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. The Court’s principal conclusion was that Israel’s continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory was unlawful and that it must be brought to an...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (13 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA) was established in 2021 with a mission “to ensure Ireland develops appropriate, leading edge and trusted defence and security capabilities in the land, sea, air, space and cyber domains, in order to protect our society, create jobs, drive research and enhance Ireland’s economic growth”. National Defence Industry...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has been clear in our unwavering support for the people and Government of Ukraine since the launch of Russia’s unprovoked and illegal full-scale invasion in February 2022. Almost three years since Russia launched its war of aggression, we are at a critical moment in terms of the trajectory of the war. It is more important than ever that the European Union and its Member...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Bodies (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as the cornerstone of the international system of criminal justice. I am deeply concerned by the rising level of sanctions, attacks and threats against the Court. These include the Executive Order signed by President Trump on 6 February 2025 authorising the imposition of sanctions on officials of the ICC, as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 69 together. I am deeply concerned by the large-scale military operations conducted by Israel in the West Bank in recent weeks, in particular in Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas, with the stated objective of suppressing militant groups. I am concerned about the use of air strikes and other disproportionate measures, resulting in casualties, damage to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Agreements (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: In February 2024, as Taoiseach, together with Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain, I wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The issue was discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 18 March 2024 and in my meeting with President Von Der Leyen on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The situation in Israel and Palestine is a major priority for this Government. Ireland's engagement is guided by our longstanding and principled position, notably 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. I set out the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: We are closely monitoring the situation in Syria as it continues to evolve, including developments concerning the Occupied Syrian Golan Heights. Like all of Syria's neighbouring states, Israel needs to act responsibly and refrain from actions and statements that jeopardise a just transition in Syria. Any breaches of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement are concerning. UN Peacekeepers...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 68 and 76 together. I remain concerned by the volatile security situation in southern Lebanon, particularly in light of the expiration of the initial ceasefire agreement and recent violence along the border. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are continuing ground operations in southern Lebanon, including in UNIFIL's Area of Operation (AO). The IDF...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government does not comment on leaked documents. In the current context, the situation in Israel and Palestine remains a standing agenda point on the Foreign Affairs Council, enabling me to exchange with my EU counterparts on this key priority on a monthly basis. Ireland has consistently called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and humanitarian access at scale to Gaza. At...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory, without being granted an exemption to do so by the Minister for Transport. In considering any application for such an exemption in respect of munitions of war, the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As of yet, I have not had any direct engagements with the government of Armenia in my role as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I was grateful to receive a congratulations letter from the Armenian Foreign Minister on my recent appointment, and I look forward to engaging with him at an early opportunity. The Department of Foreign Affairs has had ongoing engagement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the terror attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023, the Houthis have launched a campaign of drone and missile attacks against Israel, which were utterly. This campaign has included attacks on international shipping, which have impacted on humanitarian relief efforts in the Horn of Africa and have contributed to disruptions in world trade. As well as attacking civilian vessels, they...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: On 19 July 2024 the International Court of Justice delivered an Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. While ICJ Advisory Opinions are not binding in and of themselves, they represent authoritative statements of applicable international law, including customary law...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland's co-operation with the State of Palestine at the UN - which we recognised as a sovereign and independent state in May of 2024, but which holds observer status at the United Nations - is both broad and substantial. This includes the co-sponsorship of multiple resolutions at the 79th General Assembly, on matters ranging from the UN budget and pension system, through to General and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Public Appointments Service, known as Publicjobs, is the body designated under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 to provide shared service recruitment to the public and civil service and is responsible for the current Third Secretary competition which was launched in July 2024. As of 07 February 2025, three candidates have been assigned by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The number of civil servants in each division and standalone unit in my Department as at 04 February 2025, broken down by grade, is provided in tabular form below. In addition, 476 Department staff are posted to Ireland’s missions abroad. Division DeputySecretaryGeneral AssistantSecretary Principal Officer & Equivalent Assistant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (12 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Over the past five years, the Department of Foreign Affairs has grown as Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded and as our Passport Service continues to successfully meet high demand for passports with turnaround times at or well-ahead of target. On 27 January 2025, the Department employed 2,215 civil servants. There are currently a small number of civil service vacancies to...