Results 3,881-3,900 of 7,312 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: My Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and at all levels of public health restrictions. Unfortunately, processing rates have been negatively impacted by the necessary health and safety related restrictions imposed and we have been unable to hold in-person citizenship ceremonies since March 2020. In addition to the Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: My Department started a limited resumption of visa services from 26 April 2021. During this time we have recommenced accepting and processing all Long Stay “D” visa applications (with the exception of English Language Study); those identified under our current criteria as Emergency/Priority visas; and applications from people entitled to avail of the provisions of the EU Free...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I can assure the Deputy that I am very conscious of how anti-social behaviour affects the quality of life for individuals and for local communities. The safety of citizens remains a priority for An Garda Síochána and Community Gardaí are present in and available to all communities. I am informed that there is ongoing liaison with community leaders and schools to discourage...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: My Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations in the Advisory Group Report and the White Paper to reduce international protection processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months respectively. This commitment applies to everyone in the international protection process, whether they are residing in Direct Provision accommodation or living...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: The Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. The Justice Plan 2021 identifies the enactment of legislation to licence and regulate the gambling industry as a key objective. As outlined in the Justice...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I am very conscious of the difficulties and trauma encountered by people who seek international protection and I am glad to say that, throughout the pandemic, my Department's International Protection Office (IPO) has remained open to allow people the opportunity to do so in line with our international obligations. The provision of the facility to allow people claim...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 2 September 2020. A letter requesting further documentation was sent to the applicant on 30 November 2020, with no response received to date. As I understand that the applicant changed address on 22 December 2020, this letter will now be resent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 30 July 2019. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. If any further...

Seanad: Counterfeiting Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I welcome the opportunity to present the Bill to the House. The euro is the second most widely used global currency after the US dollar. Figures released by the European Central Bank this year show there are 25 billion euro banknotes in circulation, with a value of over €1.4 trillion. Responsibility for protecting the euro currency against counterfeiting is shared between the EU...

Seanad: Counterfeiting Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

James Browne: Section 15 provides for regulation-making powers for the CBI. Section 16 provides that where it is necessary for the purpose of the performance of its functions under this Part, the CBI may require a relevant person to provide information, records, plans, etc. Sections 17 and 18 provide for the appointment of authorised officers by the CBI to perform the functions under section 13. ...

Seanad: Counterfeiting Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Senators for their valuable contributions to the debate. While the Bill, for the most part, is technical in nature, its subject matter is very important and it also tangentially touches on very important issues. Regarding the delay in bringing forward the Bill, when I was appointed as Minister of State last September, a significant number of EU directives needed to be...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rights of Way (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising an important matter which is exercising many Members, solicitors and others.I want to convey the apologies of the Minister for Justice, Deputy Humphreys, who regrets she cannot be here for this matter due to the Cabinet sitting. On behalf of the Minister and the Government, I thank Senator Gallagher for raising the matter. The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rights of Way (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I again thank the Senator for raising the matter. During Covid, there has perhaps been an issue around public awareness on many different issues and, in particular, when these changes will occur and what they actually mean. Perhaps there is concern that these changes will have a greater legal impact than they will in fact have. I agree with the Senator that rights of way can be extremely...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aviation Industry (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank Senators Dooley and Buttimer for raising this critical matter for the aviation sector regarding regional access within Ireland and connectivity throughout the world. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Naughton, who cannot be here but who sends her apologies. I would like to provide an update on the challenges facing the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aviation Industry (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I acknowledge that both Senators have a genuine interest in the sector, not just locally or regionally but nationally as well. It is a matter that both have raised regularly, even before the pandemic. I will convey all their concerns to the Minister of State and the Government to ensure that whatever steps can be taken will be taken as quickly as possible. I agree that speed in regard to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Test (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising the matter of the possibility of a temporary amnesty for the driver theory test. Every Senator and Deputy is acutely aware of the serious backlog in theory tests and the impact of same. Certainly anybody in that situation has my sympathy and staff in my constituency office in Wexford are acutely aware. I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Test (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I appreciate the Senator's very real concerns around this matter. I know that he would not in any way suggest that road safety should be compromised and that it is certainly not the angle he is coming from on this matter. He has a genuine concern about the backlog, which many of us have, in terms of people trying to get access to theory tests. The backlog is having a very real impact on...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank Senator Mullen for raising this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of Minister of State, Deputy Robert Troy, who unfortunately cannot be here this morning. PIAB is an agency under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment that independently assesses claims for compensation arising from personal injuries. It can assess claims only where both parties,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: There is not a gaping hole and there is no lacuna. It is on purpose. PIAB is an administrative body and both parties voluntarily enter its process to try to resolve the matter as quickly as possible without resorting to litigation. If we were to introduce what the Senator is proposing, we would effectively turn PIAB into a quasi-judicial body.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: Parties would then effectively expect to have to be legally represented, which would only increase costs significantly. It is a process in which it is hoped that both parties will engage openly and honestly to resolve the matter in question, if possible. If an insurance company believes an applicant is in any way being untruthful - companies have their own resources to make these...