Results 4,721-4,740 of 7,312 for speaker:James Browne

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the question. As he will be aware, the Department opened applications for the new community safety innovation fund on 11 April. Reflecting the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau, CAB, in identifying and seizing proceeds from criminal activity, the new fund will use money seized from the proceeds of crime to support...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this very important matter. A good chunk of the Dormant Accounts Fund will go into youth justice this year to help alleviate similar issues. The criteria for this fund are fairly broad and I encourage organisations to apply. The main reason that a project would not qualify for funding is if funding could be obtained from another Department or an...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Funding (24 May 2022)

James Browne: The point the Deputy touches on is correct. Nobody is born a criminal or with criminal inclinations. Young people are often groomed and drawn into crime. The key purpose of the Greentown Project, using evidence-based research, is to tackle the grooming of young people into crime. Money is often used to lure them into criminal activity. That is an important part of our youth justice...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter involving the National Rural Safety Forum. As he may be aware, the purpose of the forum is to develop a nationwide network for the distribution of consistent highly-effective crime prevention advice, increase engagement within communities, and prevent and reduce opportunities for crime. The forum is co-chaired by...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I agree that it is not just about people being safe. People need to feel safe. In a number of the high-profile cases in rural Ireland, the Garda has had a number of real successes. However, we need to get to a point where such incidents are not happening and where people feel protected and safe in their communities. That means targeting those organised groups, many of which rob a number...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Crime Prevention (24 May 2022)

James Browne: The rural safety forum is a real opportunity for those organisations to come together. Rural Ireland is strongly represented on the forum. Some really good discussions have taken place, from which many good ideas have come. We fund Muintir na Tíre for the text alert system. I know Muintir na Tíre is working on a number of alternative projects as well. We will continue to look...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Judicial Appointments (24 May 2022)

James Browne: Our priority is to ensure that the courts are resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively for citizens in their access to justice.  The Government endeavours to fill judicial vacancies at the earliest opportunity and a number of such vacancies have been filled in recent times. In order to bring more strategic focus to this, the Minister established a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Judicial Appointments (24 May 2022)

James Browne: The judicial planning working group is looking at the very things about which the Deputy is concerned. We will be using those data from the OECD to assess the need in terms of judges, at present and going forward, in order that we can have an evidence-based, informed understanding of the need we have for additional judges in this country. The working group's report will inform that and the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Island Communities (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The sustainability of communities on our offshore islands is a core objective of the Government as set out in the rural development policy for 2021 to 2025, Our Rural Future. The policy acknowledges the importance to island communities of access to reliable, safe and affordable connectivity services to and from the mainland. Contracts...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Island Communities (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I certainly hear the Deputy's cogent and well thought-out points and I will bring them to the attention of the Minister who, unfortunately, cannot be here. On the PSO routes managed by the NTA, the Department of Rural and Community Development does not subsidise all services and all routes, as has been stated, and careful consideration, therefore, must be given to any change that could...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Industrial Disputes (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Medical scientists perform a valued and vital role within our health service. Their drive and determination have been key components in our management of the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, they were at the front line of the response providing a crucial...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Industrial Disputes (24 May 2022)

James Browne: Again, the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, is disappointed the MLSA has initiated strike action. Its vital role and presence in clinical settings across the country was suspended last week, causing disruption across the health service. Its decision to strike was contrary to its commitment under Building Momentum, which states that parties to Building Momentum agree that the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senator Chambers for raising the important issue of the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar. I know she has consistently raised issues around the importance of the hospital in the Chamber, behind the scenes and directly with the Minister. It is a key priority for the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and the Government to allow more people to engage in services that allow them to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Services (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senator Chambers again for raising this very important issue regarding the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar. The Senator has consistently pursued the importance of this facility. On the more specific points, I will certainly raise those with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and I will ask her to engage with Senator Chambers on it. As the Senator rightly pointed out, it is a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Telecommunications Infrastructure (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter around the thresholds within which telecommunications masts are not considered exempted development and require public consultation. On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, who sends his apologies for being unable to be here today, I note the current exemptions from planning for telecommunications infrastructure and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Telecommunications Infrastructure (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senator Currie for raising this important matter. Obviously I cannot speak about a specific case because it would be inappropriate for me to do so. What I can say is that where any person or body is unsure if planning is required for specific proposed telecommunications infrastructure they may, on payment of the prescribed fee, submit a request in writing to the relevant planning...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising the important issue of the current status of the draft regulations and planning exemptions for solar panels on farm buildings and other structures, including timelines. To provide some background on the issue, under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated regulations, requires...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Planning Issues (24 May 2022)

James Browne: I again thank Senator Boyhan for raising the important issue of the current status of draft regulations on planning exemptions for solar panels on farm buildings and other structures. The Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, had hoped the new regulations would be in place much sooner but the timeline has been delayed by the necessity to comply with European environmental reporting...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (25 May 2022)

James Browne: I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that the period of operation of sections I to 7 and 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (No. 14 of 2021) be extended for a period of 6 months, beginning on the 1st day of June 2022 and ending on the 30th day of November 2022. I am here to introduce a resolution to extend the sunset clause in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (25 May 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputies for their contributions. This legislation arose out of the uncertainty that existed at the time. Our licensing law is quite archaic and is made up of amendment upon amendment, in many cases. The uncertainty at the time gave rise, in particular, to concerns around insurance and who was going to be responsible if anything happened. Perhaps in the past we muddled along with...