Results 1,741-1,760 of 46,232 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Bodies (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Both I and my officials interact with a wide variety of international partners on the Middle East which remains a major priority for this Government. Ireland’s engagement is guided by our longstanding and principled position, notably respect for international law, respect for the equal right to self-determination, peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: As stated in PQ 2761/25, 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 with the provisions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Regulations (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: There have been no fines sought by the European Commission on my Department relating to breaches of EU guidance, regulations, directives or laws.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Process (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: No bills for which the Department of Foreign Affairs had responsibility were initiated or enacted in 2024. In that year, my Department worked to promote our values and to advance Ireland's prosperity and interests abroad in line with its Statement of Strategy 2024-25. The Department's annual report for 2024, to be published later this year, will contain details of the progress achieved...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: We have seen throughout this conflict the vital role played by media, both domestic and international, in ensuring public scrutiny of actions taken by combatants. It is vital in my view that journalists are permitted sufficient access to allow for effective reporting and this is an issue that Ireland has repeatedly raised over recent months. I am acutely aware of the dire situation faced...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Pay (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs is on the Secretary General Level II salary scale. Matters relating to civil service pay and conditions, including salary scales are the responsibility of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department has made the following payments in respect of external ICT service provision in support of its global IT network, including passport services. Service Provider 2023 2024 2025 Service Bearing Point €5,187,611 €5,517,833 €340,407 Managed Service Provider ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Online service allows citizens to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Passport Online is an award-winning, user-friendly, efficient service that consistently offers processing times up to four times faster than paper-based passport renewal applications. In 2024 over 93% of passport applications were made through Passport Online, which is available to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Irish passport is a crucial document that represents the Irish State and grants visa-free access to over 190 destinations worldwide. With the current design over a decade old, a redesign is essential to maintain the passport’s security, integrity, and global reputation. As part of this redesign, the Passport Service conducted a public consultation inviting citizens to share...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: I had a positive call with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP, on 24 January. It was an opportunity to reiterate our commitment to work together to fulfil our shared responsibilities as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, including in finding a way forward on legacy issues. We look forward to meeting in-person soon. We discussed the British...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: There are two Ministers of State at my department, Mr Thomas Byrne TD and Mr Neale Richmond TD. On 29 January 2025, Minister Byrne was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, and Minister Richmond was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora. The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No.2) Act, 1977 provides...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Court of Justice (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland does not at present intend to join the European Commission’s case at the Court of Justice of the European Union against Hungary in respect of the Sovereignty Protection Act (case C-829/24). Ireland has consistently raised our concerns about Hungary’s Sovereignty Protection Act, and its negative impact on civil society space in Hungary, including the risk that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship. FBR applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland’s long-standing position on Western Sahara is one of full support for the UN-led process, including the MINURSO Mission, and the efforts of Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Staffan de Mistura, to achieve a political solution to this long-standing dispute. It is our hope that these efforts will help achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Engagement with third-country counterparts is a central part of my work and that of my officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Such engagement routinely includes exchanges on issues relevant to the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the country concerned. This issue has not been the subject of political engagement on my part or on the part of my predecessor with our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Artificial Intelligence (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: My Department has a policy on the use of Generative AI, written in line with advice and guidance issued by Government and the National Cyber Security Centre. Officials of my Department have also consulted with Gartner on developments in AI technology. The Department has not deployed Generative AI solutions but is actively researching Large Language Models (LLM) and their possible uses....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland and the United States have deep and strong bilateral relations, built on a rich foundation of ancestral ties, shared values and close diplomatic and political links, including US support for peace on this island. Ireland had a good working relationship with President Trump and with his administration during his previous term in office from 2016-2020. The Government looks forward...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Passport Service issued over one million passports in 2024. To date in 2025, the Passport Service has issued over 100,000 passports. 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. The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports. All passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (11 Feb 2025)

Simon Harris: The Global Ireland 2025 strategy was launched by Government in 2018 with the aim of doubling Ireland’s footprint and impact by 2025. Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly with the opening of twenty-two new missions under the Strategy. A further five new diplomatic missions were announced in March 2024 with new Embassies in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina...