Results 5,221-5,240 of 7,312 for speaker:James Browne

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2023)

James Browne: The purpose is retaining the new provisions extending eligibility to legal academics while modifying the requirements somewhat. This may come from a different perspective to that of Senator Ward, specifically reducing from 12 to ten years the standing term of years required for an employed legal academic or as part of the eligibility requirement of the head of faculty in an educational...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2023)

James Browne: There is no requirement in this legislation, as drafted, for somebody to be a citizen. I will not comment on the 2015 years but the Senator has made his opinions very clear. Regarding the core requirements set out for academics, these are, I expect, the minimum to apply. Obviously they would have to demonstrate to the commission their ability to apply good judgment. I agree that to sit on...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2023)

James Browne: The standard compulsory retirement age in the public service was consolidated, following the enactment of the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018, to the greatest extent possible at the age of 70. This position represents current Government policy and is a position which the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Delivery Plan and Reform seeks to...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2023)

James Browne: We have been notified of a requirement to amend the Bill arising from the recent change of title as it relates to the now Department of Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and the several references to the Minister of Public Expenditure in the Bill which will now need to be changed.It is the advice that we will seek to bring forward amendments on Report Stage in the Seanad.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I will bring those suggestions to the attention of my officials.

Seanad: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (8 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I thank Senator Clonan for his contribution. However, I assure him that the requirements under the Sex Offenders Act apply equally to any person convicted of a sexual offence in a criminal court or by court martial. The 2001 Act requires that any person convicted of a relevant sexual offence must comply with the notification requirements. If a person is convicted of a relevant offence...

Seanad: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (8 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I certainly hear the Senator and his sentiments. I cannot comment on anything regarding the Defence Forces. I am here from the Department of Justice. I can say that the Sex Offenders Act 2001 and the Bill before us are clear that the sex offenders legislation applies as much, and equally, to a situation in any court, whether that court has criminal jurisdiction or is a court martial. The...

Seanad: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Committee Stage (8 Mar 2023)

James Browne: These are simply administrative amendments. As Members will be aware, the Government formally agreed to change the name of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform with effect from 1 February. These amendments simply reflect that.

Seanad: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Senators for their contributions to this very important Bill. As I said, the provisions of this Bill have been carefully designed to strengthen and improve the system of managing and monitoring sex offenders. It is, therefore, a very important Bill. I thank the Senators for their contributions.

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their valuable contributions on this important Bill. I am pleased to respond to the debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Deputy Harris. The Minister and I are determined to make our communities safer through measures and supports to prevent crime and harm, particularly to individuals who are vulnerable and at risk. We are also committed to...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee (23 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (21 Mar 2023)

James Browne: As the Deputy will know, Irish law has strict controls governing the issuing of firearm certificates by An Garda Síochána and stringent conditions on the holding of firearms. Since the commencement of the Firearms Act 1925, any person in possession of a firearm must be in possession of a firearms certificate for that firearm. Every application for a firearm certificate is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (21 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1054, 1076, 1085 and 1095 together. I propose to take PQs 12440/23, 13174/23, 13288/23 and 13593/23 together. I can inform the Deputies, as noted in the published reports, that two of the Firearms Expert Committee's (FEC) terms of reference were discussed as agenda items at the Committee's sixth and seventh meetings. These were: - To consider whether...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I am very conscious of the effect that knife crime can have on the quality of life for local communities the Government is determined to tackle this issue. The Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), which I am pleased to chair, is examining a broad range of issues to address the factors which give rise to ASB, including knife crime. The knife crime sub-group of the ASB Forum has...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products (21 Mar 2023)

James Browne: 1375. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the outcome of recent meetings with the HSE and a company regarding securing the drug Kaftrio for children with cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13175/23]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (23 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 325 together. I can confirm that my Department has received correspondence from the organisations referred to and I can advise the Deputies that I have responded accordingly. It was noted in the published reports that two of the Firearms Expert Committee's (FEC) terms of reference were discussed as agenda items at the committee's sixth and seventh...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: Amendment No. 1 is a Government amendment and proposes changes to be made to the Long Title of the Bill. The amendment is a technical amendment for the purpose of inserting two commas on either side of the phrase "by the Commission" where it appears in line 13 of page 5. The amendment was one of amendments to the Long Title suggested by Senator Ward on Committee Stage. I have asked my...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: Amendment No. 2 relates to the Long Title of the Bill, which gives a synopsis of what the Bill proposes to do and the legislation it proposes to amend. The amendment provides for the deletion of an element of the Long Title referring to the recommendation of the Group of States against Corruption, GRECO, of the European Council on the system of selection, recommendation and promotion of...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: Amendment No. 4 is grouped with amendment No. 16. Amendment No. 4 seeks to amend section 9 by replacing it. Section 9 provides for the membership of the commission and provides, in line with the Government programme, that the commission will be chaired by the Chief Justice. It provides for an equal number of lay and judicial members, four of each. The judicial membership comprises the...

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I am glad to speak in favour of the Government's motion of confidence. We are here because of the Labour Party's motion of no confidence. It is notable that only two Deputies were here for the start of the debate. That sends out a clear message as to whether this is serious or simple gamesmanship. It was a bizarre situation. One Deputy complained about the Taoiseach's speech, but he was...