Results 5,421-5,440 of 7,312 for speaker:James Browne

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Control of Firearms (5 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I read misinformation in my own local newspaper where somebody said that organisations are going to be charged €1,000 a year. This figure was plucked out of someone's backside.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Control of Firearms (5 Jul 2023)

James Browne: No, but it was in the newspaper. I am giving examples of the kind of misrepresentations that are being put out there----

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Control of Firearms (5 Jul 2023)

James Browne: -----that are creating unnecessary fear among the gun community.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Control of Firearms (5 Jul 2023)

James Browne: Make no mistake either, we always have keep things like firearms under review. That is important as well.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (5 Jul 2023)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the recording of information on the Garda IT system. As Minister, I have no role in these matters. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there is no one specific offence of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (5 Jul 2023)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and I cannot direct the Commissioner with regard to them. I am informed by the Garda authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (5 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 aims to reduce harm in communities (including harm to children and young people) by reducing the numbers of children and young people who engage, or are vulnerable to engagement, in crime and minimise their involvement with the Criminal Justice System by supporting their personal development. My Department is actively implementing the Strategy, with a...

European Union Directive: Motion (6 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following...

European Union Directive: Motion (6 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their contributions and for their generous support for this motion. I will address two particular points that were raised. One related to the GDPR. As has been said to me in the past, the GDPR is meant to be a guide rail, not a locked door. Sometimes people use it as a locked door and a reason for saying "No". It can be the bane of all politicians' lives when it...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Process (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, which was signed by the President on 5 July 2023, makes a number of amendments to the Data Protection Act 2018. As the Deputy will be aware, section 67 inserts a new section 26A into the Data Protection Act to provide a prohibition on disclosure of confidential information by...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Process (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The amendment was sought by the Data Protection Commission in support of its ability to carry out its functions under GDPR in an effective, efficient and lawful manner and to ensure fair procedures are maintained for data controllers and data subjects. I will give an example. The Data Protection Commission will, from time to time, need to engage with parties other than the entity whose...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Process (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: As I outlined, this will protect very particular information that is given in confidence, in line with the relevant functions of the Data Protection Commission. It is very important that the Data Protection Commission can carry out its duties under GDPR in compliance with EU law in a safe manner that can protect the information provided to it through its audits, investigatory powers or any...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of prison access to psychology services. As he pointed out, a significant number of people committed to prison have mental health issues. I assure him I am aware that if we address these issues, we can help to break the cycle of offending. The programme for Government commits to considering the mental health and addiction treatments of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I agree that the numbers are unacceptable. That is why we are determined to get them down. Competitions for principal, senior and staff grade psychologists are under way, with a closing date for applications of Friday, 4 August 2023. It is envisaged that recruitment will be completed and assignments made to existing and new vacancies by the end of 2023. The prison psychology service...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Prison Service (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: It is worth noting that the increased staffing in prisons of one additional psychologist has allowed the Prison Service to do more group sessions in 2022. An additional 1,842 group sessions were held in 2022 compared with 2021. Consequently, I believe the additional recruitment that is ongoing will provide significant help. In working to reduce waiting lists for psychology...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of the number of applications on hand for international protection, the average length of time to process applications and the steps being taken to reduce the processing time. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly and efficiently, as part of the broader Government response to this...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy again for his question. I do not have the figure he seeks to hand but I will undertake to get it for him. Regarding the information, part of the challenge is the sheer volume of requests that come in. However, the Department and the Minister have undertaken to reach out to Deputies to see what the particular difficulties they are having in dealing with international...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I suppose the challenge is that many of these applications can be very complex. People often come to Ireland from some very traumatic situations looking for help. They often have had to flee their situation with no notice and it can be quite challenging to process those people. It is not a simple case of moving along A, B, C in a processing plant. These cases can be very complex and they...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Funding (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: Under the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020, overall investment of €210 million issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in annual grant funding. This funding has supported schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure and to embed the use of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment. The new digital strategy for schools to 2027 was...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Funding (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: As previously stated, I expect that the next tranche of funding under the digital strategy will issue in the coming school year, by January 2024. The ongoing commitment to embedding the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning is demonstrated through the continued investment in teacher professional learning, relevant resources and the schools' broadband programme, with policy...