Results 4,001-4,020 of 7,312 for speaker:James Browne

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Visa Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: We introduced the new statutory declaratory process last January to address the backlog of applications. A number of amendments were needed to be able to carry this out. In the normal course of events, people would make their declarations in the presence of the relevant Ministers at that time at a set location. Because that could not be done, however, this new statutory declaration process...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Visa Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment determines whether to issue an employment permit based on a labour market needs test. This decides whether employment opportunities that arise in Ireland should be offered to suitably skilled Irish and other EEA nationals before being offered to non-EEA nationals where no suitable candidate emerges from within the EEA system to fill that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue. The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.88 billion in 2020 and of €1.952 billion in 2021. This has enabled sustained ongoing recruitment into the organisation. As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I thank Deputies O'Sullivan and Moynihan for their commitment in supporting An Garda Síochána and highlighting its efforts and needs. The Garda Commissioner and the local chief superintendent determine the number of gardaí in an area and whether they should be designated as community gardaí but all gardaí have a role in community policing. It is at the heart of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: The last budget provided the largest ever amount of funding for An Garda Síochána. There is a commitment to the recruitment of additional gardaí to be distributed across the country as they graduate. There is a commitment under the 2021 budget for 620 new gardaí this year, although due to the pandemic it will be difficult to meet that number. The target is now 450 to be...

Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Bill 2021: From the Seanad (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: The amendments made to the Bill by the Seanad all relate to the deletion of references to UEFA Euro 2020 tickets or ticket packages in the Bill as passed by Dáil Eireann. Acceptance of the amended sections entails accordingly the deletion of such references and the technical amendments made in consequence of the removal of provisions relating to the UEFA Euro 2020 football championship...

Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Bill 2021: From the Seanad (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: On behalf of the Tánaiste, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Deputies for their interest in, and contribution to, the passage of this Bill through the Dáil. The organised purchase of tickets by touts and secondary sellers to make a quick profit at the expense of real music and sports fans is about to come to an end with this Bill, and rightly so. The Bill bans the...

Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Bill 2021: From the Seanad (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: The Tánaiste has confirmed that it will be enacted as early as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.952 billion in 2021. This has enabled sustained, ongoing recruitment. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy is aware, a key pillar of the Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, is building stronger and safer communities. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to ensuring that there is strong, visible community policing right across Ireland, both rural and urban. While An Garda Síochána has provided very dedicated service to assisting in the national...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I appreciate how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it. My Department has continued to accept and process applications throughout the pandemic. However, processing rates have been negatively impacted by the necessary health and safety related restrictions and from a High Court case in 2019, which was subsequently successfully appealed. As a result,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, proposals for a draft scheme to regularise undocumented migrants are being developed in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government. This will create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents. Applicants will need to meet specific...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to those who have been impacted by recent violent incidents. The Government is very conscious of the dangers presented by knife crime, and indeed all violent assaults. Clearly any stabbing has the potential to cause irreparable physical harm and tragic consequences and the Government is determined to ensure that similar problems to those which have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 122 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 132 and 138 together. As the Deputy will be aware, proposals for a draft scheme to regularise undocumented migrants are being developed in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government. This will create new pathways for long-term undocumented people...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and at all levels of public health restrictions. However, processing rates have been negatively impacted by the necessary health and safety related restrictions imposed and it has not been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to those who have been impacted by recent violent incidents. The Government is very conscious of the dangers presented by knife crime, and indeed all violent assaults. Clearly any stabbing has the potential to cause irreparable physical harm and tragic consequences and the Government is determined to ensure that similar problems to those which have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the fees charged for immigration registration and the issuing of the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card. While I have no current proposal to adjust the rate of fees, the matter is kept generally under review. Section 9 of the Immigration Act 2004 provides that a register of non-nationals who have permission to be in the State (in general for a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: The criteria and requirements for visa required countries are kept under regular review in consultation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. A wide range of factors are taken into account, including the promotion of business and trade and facilitating people who wish to come to Ireland to work or study. However, there are a number of other factors that also must be taken into consideration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, proposals for a draft scheme to regularise undocumented migrants are being developed in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government. This will create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents. Applicants will need to meet specific...