Results 121-140 of 45,231 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Trade Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 144, 145, 150 and 157 together. I thank Deputy Boland for this question. I reiterate that I deeply regret the US decision to impose tariffs on steel, aluminium and derivative products from the EU and other trade partners, effective from 12 March last. I am also aware of the announcement by the US Administration on 26 March of its plans to introduce...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Trade Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Deputy Boland is right on both fronts. We are very lucky that Maroš Šefčovič is the Commissioner. He is a very experienced Commissioner who knows this country well through his previous roles during the Brexit time. He is an engaging, consummate individual and he is in fairness already engaging with the US Administration. He was in DC last Monday. He spoke to...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this question on behalf of Deputy Smith who has, as Deputy Moynihan has said, a long and active interest in these areas. Next month marks the 51st anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, devastating acts of violence in which 34 people, including an unborn baby, were killed and hundreds of people were injured. At the memorial event to mark the...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputies Moynihan and Carthy. I will reiterate Deputy Moynihan's call in respect of Belturbet. I will also say very clearly that I expect all authorities to co-operate fully. That is why extraordinary steps were taken in 2022 by the then Minister for Justice to put in place a bespoke mechanism to allow relevant information from An Garda Síochána to be shared with...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I join with Deputy Carthy in praising and commending Justice for the Forgotten and thanking it for its work. I assure him that, on behalf of the Irish Government and this House and in recognition of the mandate of the four all-party motions, I will continue to raise my voice at every opportunity in every engagement with the British Government, including the Secretary of State for Northern...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: This is obviously a similar question to the one I answered for the Deputy's party colleague, Deputy Ó Laoghaire, but I am happy to answer again. The programme for Government sets out a commitment to progress legislation regarding the occupied Palestinian territories following the July 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion. I was the Taoiseach who requested specific...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Foreign Policy (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I agree fully with Deputy Ó Laoghaire. We had engagement with his party last Tuesday, I think, specifically with Deputy Doherty, on this, and those lines of communication must and will remain open. It is important that every Member of this House, every political party, whether Government or Opposition, and every stakeholder is kept informed on the facts. Then it is for all of us to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Foreign Policy (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is correct that we have made a submission on the original list, if you like, that is, the tariffs that would be due to be reactivated. That is what submissions were invited on. I am not sure whether the letter is published. I am happy to share it with the Deputy. In that we highlighted our particular concerns about dairy and the drinks industry. I think they were the two...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Foreign Policy (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I think that is right. I assure the Deputy that the Government at a whole variety of levels, including at political levels - the Taoiseach, myself, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, others as well, I am sure - and at agency level like the IDA, together with our embassy network, is in ongoing contact with all the major companies. They are also...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire and he is entirely right. Calls for a ceasefire are being undermined by one party and that party is the aggressor. It is Putin and Russia. There are two presidents involved in this; President Zelenskyy has said he will accept without precondition a 30-day ceasefire to try to get into a process to bring about a lasting and enduring just peace. As recently as...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire and we need to keep the sanctions regime under review. We remain fully committed in Europe and in Ireland to keeping in place the sanctions that are already in place. We have had an unprecedented number of rounds of sanctions and Ireland wants to continue to work with European counterparts to make sure any loopholes or agility that exists in respect of those...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: In this moment of agreement, let me add two things. Membership of the European Union for Ukraine is a positive, constructive role Ireland can play. We are a supporter of Ukraine's journey to EU membership and we need to continue to be because that, in and of itself, is a security guarantee to ensure Ukraine can have a future within the European Union. Second, peace and solidarity costs...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire. I assure him there is no change in the Government’s position on engaging with the US or anywhere else. I have spoken to the Taoiseach about the conversations and understand that he reiterated the programme for Government commitment to introducing legislation in this area. I agree with the Deputy that international law does matter and that is why...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy suggested, I am happy to tease through and debate those issues when we publish and introduce legislation. I do want to engage with Senator Black. I have been in contact with her directly in recent days and look forward to meeting her on the issue next Tuesday. Of course, I would much rather be in a position in which we could in this House say the ceasefire is holding, the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Smith and his party for the constructive suggestion on engagement across parties in this House. Let me assure him at the outset regarding what is likely to be a very turbulent time. While there is no doubt that there will be moments of agreement, disagreement, suggestions and whatever else, we should continue to have a good flow of information across the Oireachtas. I...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: The most important thing we can all do in Ireland and the EU, and indeed around the world, is to stay calm and measured. Often after a headline announcement by the US Administration, you have to work through the detail. Given that the misinformation has started, we need to make the point very clearly that Europe does not want tariffs but talks. We want representatives of the European Union...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: Those are very fair questions. Obviously, we will hear the announcement tomorrow. We will all have to assess it and respond in a calm and measured way. I will be continuing calls with EU counterparts tomorrow. I have spoken to my counterparts in Finland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Slovakia and Croatia in very recent days, including today, and I will have a call with the EU trade...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire and I join him in extending the sympathies of everyone in this House and everyone in this country to the people of Myanmar and Thailand after the horrific earthquake and the devastation it has caused. My Department has moved swiftly on behalf of the Irish people to provide €6 million in emergency assistance as part of the international effort. Of...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: I want to put on the record of this House that it was also in good faith that we engaged constructively and respectfully in government formation talks with both the Labour Party and the Social Democrats, and I thank them for that engagement. I do not believe there are policy differences which we were not prepared to negotiate on, but obviously I respect the decisions of both these parties to...

Confidence in the Ceann Comhairle: Motion (1 Apr 2025)

Simon Harris: We must work together-----