Results 1,561-1,580 of 46,232 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: In 2024, the Passport Service issued more than 1 million passport books and cards. There were 7,726 passports issued to Carlow residents in 2024. The Passport Service forecasts that more than 940,000 passport applications will be submitted in 2025. Based on these figures, the Passport Office estimates that in 2025, there will be approximately 6,800 applications from residents of County...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As stated in PQ 2761/25 & PQ4092/25, I will publish versions of the Ministerial briefs prepared by departmental officials for me as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Minister of State with special responsibility for European Affairs and the Minister of State with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, with redactions made in line...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The EU-Israel Association Council took place in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 February. In line with the position I set out at the Foreign Affairs Council in January, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Egypt is an important partner for Ireland on the Middle East and has played a key role in responding to the current crisis in Gaza. Together with Qatar and the United States, Egypt facilitated negotiations with Hamas and with Israel on a ceasefire and hostage release deal. In December 2024, Egypt hosted a humanitarian conference on Gaza in Cairo, as part of efforts to increase international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Regulations (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), agreed by the Council of the European Union in 2023, was designed to meet the urgent short-term need for the EU and its member states to support the ramping-up of manufacturing capacities of the European defence industry and to secure supply chains. Financial support from the ASAP is funded through an allocation of a budget of...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together. The Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of anticipated project delivery to support the achievement of the high-level goals as set out in White Paper 2015. The programme reflects the complex environment in which the Defence Forces operate and the corresponding need for appropriate infrastructure to provide for...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Since the inception of the Infrastructure Development Plan, my Department has made considerable efforts to ensure that as many defence infrastructure projects as reasonably possible are fitted with either solar panels or other energy-efficient technologies. All projects being now undertaken include renewable measures in line with the requirements introduced under the relevant building...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: There are currently three (3) vacant and seventy-nine (79) uninhabitable such housing units that are in the following locations: Cork, eleven (11); Dublin, eight (8), Kildare, sixty-three (63). None of the uninhabitable properties can be brought up to a habitable standard without significant work, and many of these properties were built prior to the introduction of building regulations. As...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As Minister, 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. At the Informal EU leaders' retreat of 3rd February last, EU leaders discussed key aspects relating to European defence, including the development of collective capabilities, how best to use the EU...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Consultations (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Unfortunately the information sought by the Deputy could not be collated in the timeframe provided. My officials will collate same and I will arrange to have this data provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Funding (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department has a corporate membership of the institution referred to by the Deputy. The institution delivers research and policy insights and provides opportunities for the exchange of views and information on matters related to the Defence sector. The annual cost of membership for the past four years is set out in the table below. 2021 2022 2023 2024...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Procurement Contracts (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together. I am advised by my officials that the Department of Defence does not hold the requested information in the format sought.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Mental health supports are available to all members of the Defence Forces while serving at home or on overseas deployments. I am advised that the repatriation medical examination following deployment includes mental health screening. Personnel are subsequently referred by Medical Officers for treatment to the Defence Forces Mental Health Team if deemed to be required. This includes access to...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Ministerial Responsibilities (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Ministerial Brief has been published and is available at the following link; . This brief was also provided to the Minister of State. No formal functions of the Minister for Defence have been delegated to the Minister of State and full responsibility for Defence policies, the Department of Defence, and the Defence Forces remains with the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (25 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The military authorities have provided in the table attached, the establishment figure for the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF), by branch and in total, from 2006 to date. The years 2009 to 2011 do not include a breakdown by branch as with the moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the Public Service, the establishment dropped from 10,500 to 9,500 but the branch strengths were not broken...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Consultations (20 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I attended the Munich Security Conference from 14-15 February. The Munich Security Conference continues to be one of the world’s leading platforms for debate and policy exchange on international security and foreign policy. Key issues discussed at this year's conference were Russia’s ongoing illegal war in Ukraine and its impact on European and global security, the situation in...

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

Simon Harris: The Passport Service issued 72,702 passport renewals in January, with 63,250 adult renewals and 9,452 child renewals. 2025 is expected to be another busy year for the Passport Service and my Department is in an excellent position to meet the demand forecasted for this year. To date in 2025, the Passport Service has issued over 138,000 passports. I would ask the Deputy to encourage his...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Economic Data (20 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland and China share an overall constructive relationship, marked by significant growth in economic ties and expanding people-to-people contacts over the last decade. Ireland takes a holistic approach to the relationship: trade with China: the economic relationship is not considered separately from our values and other priorities. We are interested in strengthening engagement with China...

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

Simon Harris: With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this application was cancelled at the request of the applicant's guardian on 25 June 2024. Subsequently, the Passport Service refunded the passport fee on 9 August 2024.

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

Simon Harris: My Department is currently compiling the information for the 36 years requested by the Deputy and will respond fully as soon as the information is complete.