Results 681-700 of 47,732 for speaker:Simon Harris

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I truthfully do not. The facts bear that out. Türkiye, Italy and Spain sent boats. It was not as though their citizens were treated in any way better or preferentially in relation this. European boats were present and available to our Irish citizens in the same way they were available to other citizens of the European Union. We have been working in lockstep with European...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I too spoke to Senator Andrews, at the Deputy's request, the other day. I have kept in contact with him in recent days. I had the opportunity to meet some of the families here the other day when we had the all-party motion in the Dáil, as did our head of consular services and the Minister of State with responsibility for international aid, Deputy Richmond. My understanding is that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I am sorry but I forgot to answer the Deputy's specific question about injuries. We have no reports of any injuries to Irish citizens. I am very conscious of the volatile and dangerous environment. We have no information on any injuries. Our head of consular services has been in regular contact with the point of co-ordination for the flotilla – someone familiar to both of us. We...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The first priority is the Irish citizens who are detained and the absolute priority alongside that is to keep their families informed about any information we have. We are working closely with the families and trying to keep the lines of communication open. I have shared all of the information we have available and I and my Department will continue to do so. It is an evolving situation. ...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes, I do. I spoke with my Spanish counterpart this morning in relation to this. The full answer I should give is that we are determining all of the facts at the moment in an evolving situation. I am very clear that peace activists trying to highlight a humanitarian catastrophe and bring aid to the people of Gaza were apprehended and detained by Israeli authorities. As I commented...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Yes, we recognise the State of Palestine. We are now one of more than 150 countries globally to do so. I think Deputy Ó Laoghaire understood me, but I have been very clear in the statements I have issued on behalf of the Irish Government with 14 other European countries that international law matters, it has to be upheld, and there has to be accountability. What I am saying very...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I say this very respectfully: I am very open to hearing suggestions from across this House and from all parliaments about what actions they believe the Government should be taking that we are not. In recent days people suggested that we join the Spanish ship, for example. I do not say this to be in any way disrespectful to Spain, with whom we are working very closely, but last night the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I thank all Members across the House for agreeing to the change to the Dáil schedule and facilitating this debate on the concerning developments regarding the Global Sumud Flotilla. I know that everyone’s overriding concern is for the safety and welfare of our Irish citizens who are on a mission of solidarity with the people of Palestine. This House, the Oireachtas and our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 212, inclusive, together. Ireland is committed to promoting the fundamental rights of all groups, including asylum seekers. We have a strong track record of supporting fair, effective international asylum procedures that align with international human rights standards. Ireland consistently utilises our membership of the EU, the Council of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Strategies (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: This PQ would be for answer by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality who are the lead Department for the development of this National Strategy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: On 4 October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) upheld the ruling of the General Court of 29 September 2021 annulling the Council Decision on the conclusion of the 2018 Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco. This agreement concerned the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland enjoys excellent bilateral relations with Kuwait. My officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade work assiduously to maintain and develop these positive relations through regular engagement and exchange. Ireland’s diplomatic representation to Kuwait is on a non-resident basis via our Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Since the beginning of 2024, my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Regulations (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The implementation of the EU’s plan to offer digital identity to all of its citizens and residents by 2026, under the eIDAS 2.0 regulation, does not fall under the responsibility of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and this question is therefore not a matter for my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Ireland has consistently advocated for the promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Hungary and throughout the world. Our concerns in relation to serious Rule of Law backsliding and the targeting of civil society and minority rights in Hungary have been regularly raised, including in direct contacts with our Hungarian interlocutors. Officials in my Department, including...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221, 222 and 233 together. One of my key priorities is the modernisation of our Defence Forces, and revitalising our Reserve Defence Forces is a vital part of that transformation process. The Regeneration and Development Plan contains concrete actions to drive forward recruitment and retention, resourcing, training and education and integration and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223, 224, 232 and 234 together. My key priority is the modernisation of the Defence Forces, and revitalising our Reserve Defence Forces is a vital part of that transformation process. The Regeneration and Development Plan contains concrete actions to drive forward recruitment and retention, resourcing, training and education and integration and deployment....

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Government policy with regard to defence spending is defined within the parameters of our national budgetary process and role of Dáil Éireann, with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform & Digitisation setting the macroeconomic context within which Estimates processes are set annually. Within these parameters, officials from my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Defence Vote was provided with a funding allocation of €1,021 million in Budget 2025. This represents an €88 million (9.4%) increase on the corresponding 2024 allocation and saw the Defence Vote exceed the €1 billion mark for the first time. This significant level of funding is facilitating further progress and implementation of a range of recommendations and...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: Budget 2025 delivered an overall pay allocation of €569 million on the Defence Vote – 56% of the overall allocation. Of this overall allocation, €469 million provided for the pay of an expected year-end Permanent Defence Force (PDF) strength of 7,600 and the induction of a net additional 400 recruits in 2025 - at an estimated cost of €13 million. All related...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (2 Oct 2025)

Simon Harris: The Department of Defence has no role in the individual PRSI class of Members of the Defence Forces. The Department of Social Protection makes decisions with respect to the appropriate class of social insurance that applies in the case of a worker. Each case is determined on its own facts subject to the relevant legislative code. In the case of social insurance that is the Social Welfare...