Results 121-140 of 46,014 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 81 together. The military authorities have advised that as of 30 April 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,512. Figures provided for 2024 and to date for 2025 indicate a stabilisation in numbers. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Significant progress has been made, in terms of the pay and conditions for Defence Force personnel, particularly over the last five (5) years. In addition, under the current national pay deal, the Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, a further 1% increase in basic pay, as well as allowances in the nature of pay with effect from 1 August 2025, will positively affect members of the Defence...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have advised that as of 30 April 2025, the latest date for which such information is available, the strength of the Permanent Defence Force stood at 7,512. Figures provided for 2024 and to date in 2025 indicate a plateauing of the strength. There were 708 personnel inducted in 2024, the highest in over five years while the Defence Forces have advised that they are...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Official Engagements (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: It was a great honour to be given the opportunity to attend and speak at PDFORRA's Annual Delegate Conference (ADC), on 13 May last, at the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry - my first PDFORRA ADC since assuming the role of Tánaiste and Minister for Defence. At this conference I had the opportunity to address delegates on a number of key issues currently facing the Defence Forces....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: A total of €41,996.25 has been spent on Naval Service advertising since 01 Jan 2025, which forms part of the overall spend on the continuous DF recruitment campaign. The Naval Service marketing plan incorporates continuous, always-on activities designed to build trust in the Defence Forces and Naval Service. To date in 2025, the Naval Service has recruited 37 personnel, made up...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Civil Defence (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Currently, there are almost 1,900 active and probationary Civil Defence Volunteers across twenty-eight Units across the State. As with many Voluntary organisations, Civil Defence continues to rebuild its Volunteer base following Covid and active recruitment is ongoing. To that end, my Department is examining the scope for a national campaign of recruitment to be launched later in the year....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Programmes (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: As part of the preparatory process for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union next year, my Department is taking forward work on a number of training initiatives. These initiatives are intended both to provide general orientation on the work of the Presidency, and to support the preparations of Ministers and officials who will play specific roles in the management of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service has looked into the matter raised by the Deputy, and has contacted the individual directly with the information requested.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The Programme for Government commits to transfer responsibility for Trade Policy and Negotiation to the Department of Foreign Affairs. To date the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have identified the following costs directly attributable to implementing the recent change of name of the Department: - Replacement of signage in DFAT buildings. Cost: €6,961 - Replacement of official...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not funded any external training in relation to appearances as witnesses at Oireachtas committees from 2021 to 2025.

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

Simon Harris: I am aware of the comments by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine was an act of unprovoked and unjustified aggression by an expansionist power against its neighbour, and has resulted in countless deaths and untold suffering. Ireland and its EU partners have been unequivocal and steadfast in our support for Ukraine, as it exercises its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: I am aware that the Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship, the Madleen, was intercepted by Israeli authorities in the early hours of 10 June while trying to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza. The peaceful efforts of those on board reflect an understandable desire by many people around the world to urgently address the vast humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza. There needs to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Correspondence (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: This conflict remains a central focus of Ireland’s foreign policy and my engagement with my EU and international counterparts. I have repeatedly called on Israel to fully lift its blockade and allow for unimpeded access of humanitarian aid at scale into Gaza. We have also been clear in our call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the release of remaining hostages. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Our Peacekeepers in Lebanon are part of an international, UN-mandated force under the command of UNIFIL. Whilst the Irish Patrol were not directly targeted in the incident on 29 May, I unreservedly condemn any endangerment of the safety of our peacekeepers. The incident in Yaroun was completely unacceptable. On my instructions, a formal demarche was delivered to both the United Nations and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland remains convinced that the implementation of the two-State solution is the only way to establish lasting peace and security for both Israel and Palestine, and the wider region. As the Deputy may recall, the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, commonly known as the Oslo Accords, signed by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1993...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: On 28 May, Ireland marked one year since we announced, alongside Spain and Norway, that we would recognise the State of Palestine. We took that decision as an expression of our support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, self-governance, statehood territorial integrity and security. Ireland’s recognition of the State of Palestine, alongside a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: There are no deployments currently being planned in anticipation of the legislative amendments proposed under the Defence Amendment Bill. Where any deployments are proposed, in the assessment of any request to participate in an overseas peacekeeping mission, among the main considerations are its compliance with Irish law and our foreign policy. Other elements include consent of the host...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland is committed to playing a positive and constructive role in the maintenance of international peace and security, as evidenced by the long standing participation of our Defence Forces in peace operations. In the context of deploying members of the Defence Forces overseas to peace operations, Ireland’s aim in “strengthening international security” intends to reflect...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Expenditure (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: The name of my Department has remained unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Staff (12 Jun 2025)

Simon Harris: Under the Army Pensions Acts 1923-1980 a disability pension or gratuity may, following retirement, be granted to a former member of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) for permanent disablement due to a wound or injury attributable to military service (whether at home or abroad) or to a disease attributable to, or aggravated by, overseas service with a United Nations Force. The criteria...