Results 2,901-2,920 of 7,958 for speaker:James Browne

Seanad: Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for his contribution. The proposed amendment relates to a report that Tailte Éireann be required to prepare, within six months of the passing of this Act, in respect of a review of the digitisation of the land registry and proposed reforms to expedite land disputes where title deeds are unclear. To add this additional function in the manner proposed would not have...

Seanad: Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

James Browne: There will be no consequence.

Seanad: Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for his contribution. The intention of this Bill is to bring about the merger of the PRA, Ordnance Survey Ireland and the Valuation Office. The provisions of the Bill include the transfer of the current functions of these bodies into Tailte Éireann. It is not envisaged at this point to expand the current functions of the existing bodies during the merger process....

Seanad: Tailte Éireann Bill 2022: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I understand the intention of this amendment is that Tailte Éireann would commission a report to explore the feasibility of creating a register for land transactions. While I appreciate the objective of the Senator’s amendment, I will mention a number of reasons I am not disposed to accept this proposal. As part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process for this Bill, the joint...

Confidence in Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Motion (13 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I stand in support of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the Government's motion of confidence in response to the cynical exercise of a motion put down to deflect from the work of the Minister and the Government. Fianna Fáil sought the portfolio of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage at a difficult and challenging time. We sought it, when many others ran away...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (13 Dec 2022)

James Browne: The Gambling Regulation Bill was approved by Cabinet on 15th of November, published Friday, 2nd December and completed second stage in the Dáil on Tuesday, 6th December. The Bill sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland – and for a robust regulatory and licensing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (7 Dec 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which primarily seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. There are over 100 YDPs nationwide providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Carroll MacNeill for raising this important matter of funding for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, DSGBV, services. As the she is aware, Zero Tolerance, the new national strategy to combat domestic, sexual and gender-based violence was launched earlier this year. It is an ambitious five-year programme of reform and a whole-of-society plan of action. Implementation...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy for raising a very important matter. She has been consistent in raising this important and serious issue since she became a Member of Dáil Éireann, and I am very conscious of that. I am confident combating domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority that is not going to drop off the agenda, and I have no doubt the Deputy will ensure focus on...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan for raising the important matter of SNA allocation for Scoil Eoin National School, Innishannon, County Cork. I assure the House that the Department of Education is committed to ensuring that all children can access an education suitable to their needs. I reassure the Deputy that the Department of Education will continue to support the NCSE and schools...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. What the Government is doing, led by the Minister, Deputy McEntee, will deliver. It has put in place the correct structures to deliver additional refuge accommodation, including the development of the new statutory agency. We will accelerate the number of additional spaces that can be delivered each year. Already, work is being undertaken to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The courthouse on Church Street has stood unused for a number of years. The building is a monument of historical significance in terms of the War of Independence and the Civil War. Deputy Michael Moynihan has been raising this matter for some time to try to make the building available for public use. Under the provisions of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: As I know from my previous legal experience, identifying the title of old buildings can often be a challenge and take some work. I will undertake to contact the Courts Service to see whether it can do that work and ensure that the property's title is correctly identified as being under the Courts Service in order that steps can be taken in respect of the building's future use. Regarding...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Court Accommodation (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I undertake to contact the Courts Service to emphasise the importance of preserving this courthouse and the attached bridewell, given their historical significance and that of the graffiti.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue regarding the Government's strategy on step-down accommodation in cases where a person leaves a domestic violence refuge. In June, the Government launched zero tolerance, the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Under this five-year ambitious programme of reform, we want to achieve a society that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I certainly hear the Deputy. I assure her that the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is determined to deliver as many refuge spaces as possible as quickly as possible. I agree with the Deputy that steps have to be taken to ensure that survivors can return to their homes without the presence of their abusers, who should be removed. We need to work more on ensuring that is the situation. One of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Asylum Applications (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. This is a difficult situation for our Afghan community and their loved ones. I take this opportunity to assure them that we are processing applications under the Afghan admission programme as quickly as possible. It should be noted that the Afghan admission programme is not the only avenue for Afghan nationals to come to Ireland. Since the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Asylum Applications (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: By my maths, 846 Afghans have been approved through the other schemes and, as I said, where they can be used, they are being used to help Afghans. In the context of this particular scheme, there have been 528 applications and 22 applications have been approved. There has been a challenge in terms of the information being provided within those various applications, which has proven to be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Asylum Applications (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: On the applications, there has been a challenge in terms of the information that has been provided. We have to examine the information that is provided, and that is part of any process of issuing visas or any type of programme for admission to the country. We do not bring any people to the country under the scheme; we simply issue permissions for people to come here. As already stated, the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Parole Boards (6 Dec 2022)

James Browne: These delays were unanticipated. However, having realised the delays, we have already taken pro-active steps to clear the backlog. The board is now fully operational and is hearing cases. Furthermore, it has developed a structured plan which will see a significant increase in meetings and applications considered right throughout 2023. To support this work a 23% increase of funding has...