Results 1,301-1,320 of 46,232 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service continues to accept copies of driving licences certified by a member of an Garda Síochána.  If the Deputy has concerns in respect of a specific application, please bring the details of the case to the attention of the Passport Service who will review the matter further.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: There have not been any secondments from consulting firms to the Department of Foreign Affairs during the period 2020 to present.  Secondments within the civil service are subject to the principles outlined in the Civil Service Secondments Policy and Circular 27/2021: 'Secondment Policy for the Civil Service’.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this complex adult renewal application was received on 3 March 2025. Therefore, this application is within the standard turnaround time for this type of application and has not yet reached its issue by date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland strongly advocates for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ people throughout the world, including in our relations with Hungary. Ireland has repeatedly and consistently raised our concerns in relation to serious Rule of Law backsliding and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. We...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department has reviewed its records and has not entered into any contract, any discussions, or received offers of use of the premises of the hotel referred to by the Deputy.   There are no Agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Information and Communications Technology (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department's core IT infrastructure is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service. The data and telephony, which is Voice Over IP (VOIP), communication lines for the Department of Defence are fibre optic communication lines. My Department also has a number of copper communication lines that are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Defence Forces that no military equipment was purchased from companies based in Japan in the period referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The capital allocation for building works in military installations and barracks across the country for the last five years was some €170m. This year the capital allocation stands at €50m for capital investment with a further €12.5m allocation for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Defence Forces that no military equipment was purchased from companies based in Australia in the period referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Army Equitation School continues to source Irish bred horses that meet the required standard as judged by the School's Horse Purchase Board. Horses are acquired through either purchase or lease agreement. The Army Equitation School’s budget for the purchase and lease of horses in 2025 is set at €500,000, as it was in 2024. I am satisfied that the current arrangements allow...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that there have been no secondments from consulting firms to my Department since 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Contracts (20 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Unfortunately the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. My officials are examining the matter and I will arrange to have the information provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (19 Mar 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: Passport Services (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the query to which the Deputy has raised, the Passport Service issued a response on 12 March 2025 to the complaint submitted.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: I had a constructive call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 4 March. I congratulated him on his recent appointment and we discussed our mutual appreciation for the strength of the US-Ireland relationship. I took the opportunity to convey Ireland's gratitude for the important bipartisan contribution that the United States has made to peace, reconciliation and economic prosperity on our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Publicjobs are the main provider of recruitment services for the Department and undertake all pre-employment checks including Garda vetting for officers assigned to the Department of Foreign Affairs. I can also confirm that all persons recruited directly by the Department are vetted by the Garda National Vetting Bureau before they are employed or, in the case of recruitment abroad by a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland’s policy of military neutrality means that Ireland does not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements. The Government has been clear that it has no desire to alter this policy. However, our policy of military neutrality does not insulate us from the impacts of a rapidly changing and volatile international security environment that has become...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The EU-Israel Association Council took place in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 February. The Association Council provided an opportunity for full and frank engagement with Israel on issues of concern, on the wider EU-Israel relationship and for the delivery of key messages at a critical moment for Israel, Palestine and the region. The Association Council was chaired by EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department has reviewed its records and there are no contracts with the company named by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (19 Mar 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland is committed to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, which upholds Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with international law and the UN Charter. We all want to see an end to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, but how we make peace matters. Ukraine must be centrally involved in any negotiations. There needs to be a clear...