Results 4,101-4,120 of 9,174 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (18 Jan 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1069 and 1087 together. As previously advised in response to Parliamentary Question 483 on 6 December 2022, An Garda Síochána have informed my Department that it is not possible to collate the number of semi-automatic centre fire rifles for each of the years since 2015 to date. To do so would necessitate a manual trawl of PULSE which would take an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Services (18 Jan 2023)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime or anti-social behaviour, and to support wider preventative work in the community and with families at risk. There are currently 106 YDPs in place throughout the State, supporting up to 4,000 young...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (18 Jan 2023)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions. To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have contacted the Garda Authorities for the information requested and I...

Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) (Amendment) (Pets) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank colleagues for their contributions. Pet theft is an incredibly cruel crime that causes huge trauma for both the pets themselves and, of course, their owners. I ask the Deputies to take into consideration the issues we have raised but we are not opposing the Bill at this stage.

Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) (Amendment) (Pets) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I take this opportunity to express my sympathies to Private Seán Rooney's family. We are all shocked and saddened by the news that he lost his life in Lebanon. I extend my sympathies to his family, friends, community and comrades. Private Rooney's death is a reminder of the risks and sacrifices that our peacekeepers make every day when on duty. I wish a speedy recovery to his...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The Deputy has been working on it for some time. I am providing a response outlining to the House the major building project that will be undertaken at Gaelscoil Uí Earcáin, and also recent interactions between the school, its patron body and the Department of Education on the current condition of the existing school building....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy McAuliffe for raising this very important matter. I confirm that the Department of Education is aware of the current building conditions and that Department officials will assist and advise the school authorities in maintaining the current school premises in advance of the delivery of the major building project. The Department will shortly advise the school authorities of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Child and Family Agency (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be fully aware, I will not be discussing a specific case. However, I will answer the question that was posed, which sought to discuss with the Minister for Justice the technologies and methods used as part of the Garda vetting process. On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy Humphreys, I thank the Deputy for raising this issue in the House today. The Deputy will...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Child and Family Agency (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: Again, as the Deputy is very well aware, it is not possible for me to address the very specific case he has raised. I would also point out that the Deputy asked a very generic question asking the Minister for Justice to address issues around the technologies and methods used. If he wanted a more specific answer, he could have asked a more specific question or highlighted what he was going...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Child and Family Agency (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: The Deputy did not do so before I came in here.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Child and Family Agency (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: The Deputy asked a generic question. Again, on behalf of the Minister for Justice, I thank the Deputy for raising this issue today. I again emphasise that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of the Garda vetting system. The Minister for Justice has no role in such matters and cannot direct An Garda Síochána in the operation of the vetting...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Child and Family Agency (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: The Deputy should ask a more specific question next time.

Income Eligibility for Social Housing Supports: Statements (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputies for their valuable contributions to this important discussion. As stated earlier by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, the income eligibility thresholds for social housing supports were introduced in 2011 with the key objective of reserving housing assistance for households unable to secure accommodation from their own resources....

Defects in Apartments - Working Group to Examine Defects in Housing Report: Statements (15 Dec 2022)

James Browne: On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, I thank all Deputies who have contributed to this debate. We can all agree that many homeowners and residents of apartments and duplexes have found themselves in a difficult and stressful position when defects have arisen in respect of their buildings through no fault of their own. As...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Investigations (14 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter. Almost 50 years ago, bombs exploded at Belturbet, Clones and Pettigo. In Belturbet, this callous act of violence claimed the lives of two innocent young people - Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley - and injured others. My deepest sympathies go out to the bereaved and the injured. The dreadful effects of this attack last to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Garda Investigations (14 Dec 2022)

James Browne: I will certainly endeavour to ensure that the Department keeps the families updated regarding any developments I would expect to happen. I would expect that An Garda Síochána will do likewise. As the Deputy noted, a Garda liaison officer has been appointed. Of course, we think of all those who lost their lives in the immediate events of all these bombings where people were...

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...