Results 5,321-5,340 of 7,312 for speaker:James Browne

Seanad: Courts Bill 2023: Second Stage (10 May 2023)

James Browne: This Bill, which I am pleased to present to the House, has the sole purpose of increasing the statutory maximum prescribed in respect of the number of judges of the District Court, the Circuit Court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Senators will be aware that the Report of the Judicial Planning Working Group was recently received and considered by the Government. The Judicial...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2023: Second Stage (10 May 2023)

James Browne: I thank all the Senators who have contributed to this debate. It has been pointed out this is a short and technical Bill. However, its objective is to provide a continuing basis for an effective courts system, which is of central importance to our society and the economy. Both the judicial planning working group and the OECD have concluded that significant numbers of additional judges will...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (9 May 2023)

James Browne: I can advise the Deputy, that I established the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) on a non-statutory basis with representation from stakeholders, my Department and An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State. In line with its comprehensive...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2023: Motion for Earlier Signature (17 May 2023)

James Browne: I move: That, pursuant to subsection 2° of section 2 of Article 25 of the Constitution, Seanad Éireann concurs with the Government in a request to the President to sign the Courts Bill 2023 on a date which is earlier than the fifth day after the date on which the Bill shall have been presented to him.

Central Statistics Office Sexual Violence Survey 2022: Statements (17 May 2023)

James Browne: I echo the Minister, Deputy Harris, in thanking the House for the opportunity to discuss this very important topic. It is, of course, very difficult and sobering to read statistics that show that this level of sexual assault and violence has taken place in our society. I pay tribute to all the survivors of sexual violence and those who are represented in this study for their strength,...

Seanad: Disregard of Certain Criminal Records of Gay Men: Motion (17 May 2023)

James Browne: I want the acknowledge the presence of Senator Norris, who is here today, despite his ill health, for all of his fellow campaigners and organisers. I acknowledge the hard work and dedicated advocacy that they put in over many years towards the fight for equality. I wish Senator Norris strength and a speedy recovery from his illness. I acknowledge his political career, which has been...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 May 2023)

James Browne: Amendment No. 12 seeks to amend section 12. Section 12 is a comprehensive provision setting out the arrangements for the nomination by the Judicial Council of members of the commission and it is important to be clear about these arrangements. The Judicial Council shall nominate two members of the council to be members of the commission and these nominees shall be appointed to the commission...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 May 2023)

James Browne: No.

Hospital Waiting Lists: Motion [Private Members] (23 May 2023)

James Browne: He is in Geneva.

Hospital Waiting Lists: Motion [Private Members] (23 May 2023)

James Browne: I will begin by mentioning the significant investment in the health service since 2020. The Government allocated €23.6 billion net to the health budget in 2023, both current and capital, and an extra €3.2 billion or 15% over the original net budget allocation for 2020. This is the largest allocation ever for the Department of Health. The Government has allocated 27% more in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (23 May 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and providing me with the opportunity to address the matter on behalf of the Minister. I confirm that the Department’s multi-annual rural water programme, through Exchequer funding, delivers improvements to water services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public water services. The programme provides capital funding...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (23 May 2023)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Dillon again for raising this important matter. On the multi-annual rural water programme, as I indicated, to date, allocations of just over €74 million have been provided nationally and just under €36 million has been recouped by local authorities. Mayo County Council was allocated over €25 million, of which, to date, just over €8 million has been...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Work Permits (23 May 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for raising this important matter. Ireland’s employment permits system is designed to accommodate the arrival of non-EEA nationals to fill skills and labour gaps for the benefit of our economy in the short to medium term. This objective must be balanced by the need to ensure there are no suitably qualified Irish or EEA nationals available to undertake the work...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Work Permits (23 May 2023)

James Browne: The framework around access to employment permits for this role, as agreed with the Department of Health, includes the requirement for the employment to offer a remuneration level of €27,000 or more, and for the permit holder to achieve a relevant level 5 QQI qualification after two years' employment in the State. The level 5 qualification after two years' employment is the minimum...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Work Permits (23 May 2023)

James Browne: This question is for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I am answering on behalf of that Department.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Work Permits (23 May 2023)

James Browne: I am answering on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Work Permits (23 May 2023)

James Browne: The framework for the HCA provision intended that education and training needs be provided by employers, with employees to be given access to funded educational programmes to gain the required level of qualifications as part of paid employment. Given the mix of public, private and voluntary providers in the nursing home sector, it is important to ensure that there is a common validated...

Extension of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (24 May 2023)

James Browne: I move: That Dáil Éireann resolves that the period of operation of sections 1 to 7 and 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021 (No. 14 of 2021) be extended for a further period of six months, beginning on the 1st day of June, 2023 and ending on the 30th day of November, 2023. I am here to introduce a resolution on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy...

Extension of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2021: Motion (24 May 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their time and contributions. I hope the extension of the Act until 30 November 2023 sends Members the message of our determination to continue to support and provide clarity to businesses, An Garda Síochána and communities. Deputy Pa Daly raised the issue about the number of gardaí. We have approximately 380 in training at the moment at various...

Court Proceedings (Delays) Bill 2023: Second Stage (24 May 2023)

James Browne: I move "That the Bill be now read a Second Time". I am pleased to introduce the Court Proceedings (Delays) Bill 2023. Article 6.1 of the European Convention on Human Rights provides for the right to a fair trial in a reasonable time period. This right already has constitutional and common law standing in Ireland, and this Bill will place it on a statutory footing and ensure an effective and...