Results 1,341-1,360 of 46,036 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: A consultant was commissioned by the Defence Forces to assess the condition of the vacant housing in barracks and its suitability for conversion/refurbishment to provide for additional single living-in accommodation for Defence Force personnel. A report for comment has recently been furnished to my Department and is currently being reviewed by my officials. Once my officials and the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I believe the Deputy may be referring to the Dublin City Coroner’s request to access certain information in support of the inquest which has been opened into the death of Private Rooney on 14th December 2022 in Lebanon, whilst serving as part of the Irish contingent in UNIFIL, and in particular the two UN reports linked to the incident. I consider it critical that full cooperation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The response to cyber threats remains a whole-of-Government challenge, with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications taking the lead role and with inputs in the security domain from An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The primary cybersecurity role of the Defence Forces is defending and securing the Defence Force’s own networks and systems. To...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Policies (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The European Union (Resilience of Critical Entities) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 559 of 2024) were signed into law on the 15 October 2024. The Regulations sets out a range of duties and responsibilities for the competent authorities in relation to increasing their resilience. As part of this new regulatory framework my Department has commenced developing the first national strategy for the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Policy Review 2024, building on the 2015 White Paper, recognise that there is a requirement for Ireland to engage proactively with the UN, the EU, the OSCE and NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP). Cooperation with all international bodies and institutions shows Ireland's commitment to international peace and security. With regards to NATO, Ireland joined PfP in 1999....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: There is currently no intention to purchase military equipment from Israel. Since the ICJ advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, the Department has included provisions in its tender documentation regarding the right to reject offers from third countries, which includes Israel, on defence and security grounds, in line with the Commission guidance on the procurement of defensive equipment under...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Following reports in the media concerning the operational status of the weaponry on the P60 class a report is being prepared by the Chief of Staff. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further pending the matter being completed.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As Minister for Defence, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. The Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As Minister for Defence, I am deeply committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces into a modern fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. The Commission on the Defence Forces was established on foot of a commitment in the Programme for Government, and its report was published on the 9th of February 2022. The Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Cybersecurity Policy (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As recognised in the Report on the Commission on Defence Forces and accepted by Government, the Defence Forces needs to be capable of delivering military effects across the cyber domain. To that end the Defence Forces have established a new Joint Cyber Defence Command. This new Command will be able to conduct full-spectrum operations to robustly defend against cyber threats, support Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Foreign Birth Registration application has been approved. The certificate will issue shortly to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service initially requested further supporting documents from the applicant on 18 February 25. The final set of further supporting documents were received from the applicant on 20 February 25. The turnaround time following receipt of additional documents is 15 working days. This application is within the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Addressing the situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States, and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US will continue to be a priority for the Government as set out in the new Programme for Government. Efforts to advance have been made with successive US administrations, and this work will continue with the incoming US...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Addressing the situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States, and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US will continue to be a priority for the Government. Efforts to advance have been made with successive US administrations, and this work will continue with the incoming US administration, including at high level political...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Prison Service (26 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Justice contacted my Department with regard to their future of the Curragh Prison in May 2024. Department of Defence officials and members of the Defence Forces met with various officials from the Department of Justice and the Irish Prison Service (IPS) and surveyors working on behalf of IPS, on site at the Curragh Prison on at least five occasions between May and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 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: Visa Agreements (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Irish and US authorities are in regular dialogue on matters of reciprocal travel rights between Ireland and the US. However, visa fees charged to Irish students studying in the United States are entirely a matter for the relevant US authorities. We are aware that the US authorities in assessing the reciprocal treatment that they apply to Irish students in regard to visa fees and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's approach to foreign policy. Where human rights concerns exist, Ireland regularly raises concerns on these matters with our partners, both in bilateral meetings as well as in the appropriate international fora. In August 2022, the previous UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Michelle Bachelet, released...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Court of Justice (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland recognises that it is the responsibility of the European Commission to monitor whether EU member states apply EU laws correctly and on time. If national authorities fail to implement EU laws, it is also the responsibility of the European Commission to decide whether to initiate formal infringement proceedings against the country in question. The infringement procedure allows the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service follows the recommended passport guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with regard to children's passports. The ICAO is an UN agency whose guidelines state that, in consideration of the changing appearance of children, a validity period of not more than five years is recommended in the case of children’s passports. Issuance of passports...