Results 1-20 of 34,949 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (16 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The 2024 and 2025 administration budget allocations for the Embassies are detailed below in tabular form. Embassy 2024 Budget €'million 2025 Budget €'million Abu Dhabi €1.6m €1.5m Bangkok €0.9m €0.9m...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (16 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I confirm that the Ambassador of Israel remains accredited to Ireland but currently on a non-resident basis.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 66 together. The Government has been consistent in the pursuit of accountability for Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. This includes the accountability of the Russian leadership responsible for the crime of aggression. Ireland is one of 38 states, plus the EU, in the Core Group for the establishment of a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: As this House will be aware, the Government carried out an extensive analysis and review of the Occupied Territories Bill late last year. The Government’s analysis was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the provisions of that Bill in order to bring it in line with the Constitution and to try to reduce the risk of EU infringement procedures. On...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 60 and 71 together. The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Indeed, recent developments in the global trading environment have highlighted the importance of market diversification via an expanded set of EU free trade agreements. EU FTAs support more opportunity for trade and investment, help support jobs and growth at home,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Following the Israeli attacks on targets in Iran, including in Tehran, on 13 June, my Department assessed the safety of staff at Embassies in the region. As the conflict continued, it was decided to reduce staff numbers at the Irish Embassy in Tehran to two diplomats. On 20 June, following consultation with my officials and in close consultation and coordination with EU partners, I decided to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: To maintain and strengthen Ireland’s significant, and mutually beneficial, cultural, political and economic relationships with the United States is a key priority for me as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.I was pleased to represent the Government at the diplomatic credentials ceremony in Áras an Uachtaráin on 1 July, where the new US Ambassador to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the response of the European Union has been unprecedented in its unity, firmness and determination. Collectively, the EU and its Member States have provided support worth approximately €158.6 billion. I welcome that support for Ukraine remains a top priority for the EU. This is not only the right thing to do....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: As this House is aware, the Government carried out an extensive analysis and review of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill late last year. The Government’s analysis was that substantive amendments would be required to most, if not all, of the provisions of that Bill in order to bring it in line with the Constitution and to try to reduce the risk of EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Bodies (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: On 2 July I had the honour of hosting the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Tomoko Akane, during her visit to Dublin. Our meeting provided the opportunity to reiterate Ireland’s steadfast support for the ICC at a time when international justice and the rule of law are coming under increasing pressure. We discussed how to best protect the ICC as it faced...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is only provided where the conditions set out by my Department are fully met, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Government is continuing its outreach and engagement on trade with the US and the European Commission, as well as with key EU partners. On Thursday 12 June, I held a positive virtual meeting with United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, including a constructive exchange of views on the negotiations between the US and EU. During the call I had the opportunity to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 61 together. The Passport Online service offers citizens the ability to apply online for their passport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This award-winning service has allowed for the centralisation of passport processing and has resulted in greater efficiencies for our citizens and for the Passport Service. Passport Online is a user-friendly,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 64 together. The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Our membership of the EU makes us part of a growing network of EU Free Trade Agreements, supporting more opportunity for trade and investment, helping support jobs and growth at home, maintaining strict EU standards on food safety, animal and plant health, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland is a strong supporter of Ukraine’s EU accession, and we continue to advocate at European level for progression Ukraine’s accession path. Not only do I firmly believe that EU membership is the best security guarantee we can offer to Ukraine, it is also in the strategic interests of Ireland and the EU to maintain peace, stability and prosperity across the European...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Bodies (10 Jul 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: North-South Ministerial Council (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 38, 41 and 70 together. The North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC), established under Strand 2 of the Good Friday Agreement, is at the heart of North South cooperation on this island. Since the restoration of the Good Friday Agreement institutions last year, there have been three plenary meetings of the NSMC, most recently on 20 June 2025. The meeting...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, work is underway on preparing the development of the next Diaspora Strategy. As part of this process, there has been a number of in-person engagements both at home and abroad, so that a wide range of voices and opinions are captured during the drafting process. Furthermore, to complement the work of these in person...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (10 Jul 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 and Trade. Such engagement routinely includes exchanges on issues relevant to the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the country concerned. The Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Simon Harris: The Middle East region is experiencing a period of significant instability with multiple crises, many of which are interrelated. The appalling and deteriorating situation in Gaza and the situation in the West Bank remains a central focus of my engagement with my EU and other international counterparts. Ireland has consistently condemned the ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza....