Results 161-180 of 47,791 for speaker:Simon Harris

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

Simon Harris: Along with our EU partners, Ireland supports a comprehensive, peaceful, and sustainable settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, based on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova within its internationally recognised borders. Moldova was granted EU candidate country status in June 2022 and the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Moldova in December...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (12 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I can confirm that officials in my Department, including in the Consulate General in Munich, are aware of this case and are providing consular assistance. A dedicated consular officer in the Consulate has been assigned to Mr Tatlow-Devally’s family and they remain in close contact. The consular officer has provided support and advice to Mr Tatlow-Devally and his family in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Birth Registration (12 Nov 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 or Naturalisation. Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Public Procurement Contracts (12 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available within the time frame sought. I will arrange to have this information forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

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

Simon Harris: The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. Where relevant training is not available on-island, it is often necessary for Defence Forces personnel to attend training institutions overseas. I am advised by the military authorities that the following specialist training courses not...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Air Corps (12 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: The primary function of training in the Defence Forces is to develop and maintain the capabilities necessary to fulfil the roles laid down by Government. Where relevant training is not available on-island, it is often necessary for Defence Forces personnel to attend training institutions overseas. I am advised by the military authorities that the following specialist training courses were...

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

Simon Harris: The mission of the Army Equitation School is to promote the Irish Horse through participation in international competition at the highest level. The Army Equitation School has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Communications (12 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: The information requested by the Deputy Gould for the years 2020 to date is set out in tabular form below: Year Purpose of spend Company Amount spent 2020 Civilian Recruitment Competition Public Appointments Service (PAS) €3,446.28 2020 Be Winter Ready, Be Summer Ready ad campaign ...

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

Simon Harris: My Department will always work to ensure the Defence Forces can engage with communities across the State, where possible. It is important to note that my Department's Community Support Unit receives significant volumes of requests Community Supports. The Community Support process requires the event organisers to contact my Department at communitysupport@defence.ie. They will be sent an...

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

Simon Harris: The costs associated with ATCP duties at Shannon Airport for 2022 to date are currently being collated and therefore it is not possible to provide that information within the time available. I will revert to the Deputy as soon as the information is made available to me by the military authorities. The figures in respect of 2018 to 2021 are set out in the table below. Year ...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Departmental Functions (12 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: My department’s approach to future planning is informed by Securing Ireland’s Future the Programme for Government 2025 and the Department of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2025–2028 which reflect the Government’s commitment to transforming the Defence Forces into a modern, fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of...

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

Simon Harris: The Department of Defence and Defence Forces operate a joint planning working group which reviews planning applications likely to have a potential impact on Defence Forces infrastructure and operations. If necessary, submissions can be made to the relevant planning authority with respect to a specific development in line with operational needs and taking congisance of overall Government...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Coast Guard Service (12 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: At the outset, the Deputy should be note that my Department's role in this matter pertains to a planning condition applied by the planning authority. It is, in the first instance, a matter for the planning authority to apply and enforce such planning conditions. My Department has no role in relation to planning enforcement. In line with conditions set out in the planning authority's...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I will only unilaterally agree on behalf of the Government but it is a very sensible suggestion. This is certainly not a new area but it is a relatively new area that Members in this House, people in local authorities, citizens and people new to our country are all trying to grapple and engage with. I am not seeking to be divisive here but the debate should not be hijacked by anybody nor...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: What I would say to them is that love is love and they live in a Republic where equality must be at the core of all that we do. Homophobic attacks and violence are crimes and there needs to be zero tolerance of them. The Minister for education reminds me that this week is Stand Up Awareness Week, an important initiative by Belong To in our schools. I thank it for the work it is doing....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: We have been working on this together over the past while. We meant what we said during the election. Having a childcare system that is fit for purpose, empowers parents, is affordable and accessible, and has quality at its heart is a core priority for this Government. If we can get this right over the course of this Government, we can transform childcare in a way that other parts of...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I was familiar with this in times gone by and would have had engagement with the family, as I know so many representatives over the years have, both in Wicklow and in government. I will ask the Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries, Deputy Dooley, to update me on the matter, to come back to the Deputy directly and to see if we can...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I know it is an issue of importance to many people, including people in Dublin West, commuters and people going about their business and encountering these toll charges. The Deputy has made some very interesting suggestions that merit further examination. As she knows, TII has a role in this. She has called on it to give consideration to this. I...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (6 Nov 2025)

Simon Harris: I will speak directly to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill on this matter. We have made good progress on cancer care and cancer treatment in recent years in this country and it is important we build on that. We have a national cancer strategy. We are increasing our capital investment in health as well. I will try to understand the rationale around those timelines and whether there is...