Results 5,441-5,460 of 7,312 for speaker:James Browne

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter around the ongoing delays in scoliosis surgeries. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this extremely important issue. The Government sincerely regrets that children like Leah can experience long waiting times for scoliosis treatment and it remains conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families. ...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Health Services (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy for raising the ongoing issues with regard to delays in scoliosis surgeries and, in particular, for his mentioning of the very difficult situation which Leah is experiencing. As has been acknowledged, many patients, including children, who are waiting for scoliosis treatment are waiting for an unacceptably long time. While significant work continues to positively...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Food Industry (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The Deputy's Topical Issue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine the amount, in tonnes, of sheepmeat being imported into and exported from the State each year. That is the question I will answer. The Minister, Deputy McConalogue, thanks the Deputy for raising this important issue, that being the amount, in tonnes, of sheepmeat being imported and exported. We all recognise...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Food Industry (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I remind the Deputy the question put down on the paper by himself is simply the amount in tonnes of sheep meat being imported and exported from the State each year. Had he mentioned traceability in his question, he probably would have got a more specific answer. We are answering the question he asked. The Minister in his reply is quite assured that any meat import from third countries,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, has overall policy responsibility for public service occupational pension schemes payable to retired public servants. For all new entrants to the public service on or after 6 April 1995, the date of introduction of full social insurance for public servants who now pay class A PRSI, and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Pension Provisions (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform is aware there are some issues concerning the procedures for qualifying for the payment of an occupational supplementary pension. However, reducing the administrative burden is likely to include a technological solution that will require some time to agree and implement. The Department will commence a...

Seanad: Non-Fatal Offences against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (12 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for bringing forward this Bill and speaking on it this afternoon. It is a very important issue. The contributions have been quite interesting and enlightening. I know there has been a general discussion on this Bill. The Minister, Deputy Harris, spoke on the Bill on Second Stage and he noted that observations are being sought from An Garda Síochána and the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The Government is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and a number of priority actions are contained in the Programme for Government and Justice Plan 2023 to reduce instances of such behaviour and help people to be safe and feel safe in their local communities. A number of actions have been proposed and are being implemented by Government. These include: Giving An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being from both an online and in person perspective. The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 509 together. Youth Diversion Project (YDPs) are community based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives, which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime/anti-social behaviour and to support wider preventative work within the community and with families at risk. The YDPs act as a vital support to the statutory Garda Youth...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) was made up of five members: an independent Chairperson, a representative of An Garda Síochána, a representative of the Department of Justice, and two non-governmental Ordinary Members having experience of firearms. This structure was chosen to give balanced representation to both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. The FEC was a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being. The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 will cover gambling online and in person, and include powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. When established, Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: At the outset, I would like to assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities in rural Ireland and in our towns and cities. Everybody has the right to feel safe and to be safe in their homes and on their land and property. The Rural Safety Plan 2022-2024, published by my Department, is the result of strong collaboration between all the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 523, 524 and 525 together. The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being. The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 will cover gambling online and in person. The Bill was published and completed Second Stage in the Dáil in early December 2022. Committee Stage is taking place...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (11 Jul 2023)

James Browne: The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being from both an online and in person perspective. The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Services (13 Jul 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 541, 545 and 546 together. As the Deputy will be aware, Part 4 of the Children Act 2001 (as amended) provides the statutory basis for the Garda Youth Diversion Programme (GYDP). The intention of the programme is to divert children and young people who have engaged in criminal or anti-social behaviour away from the criminal justice system and towards more...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (21 Sep 2023)

James Browne: I assure the Deputy that record funding is now being provided to An Garda Síochána. There is significant recruitment happening at the moment in Templemore, where more gardaí are going into training. On the rosters, the Garda roster that is currently in operation was introduced by the Garda Commissioner to deal with the specific policing requirements of the Covid-19 pandemic....

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (21 Sep 2023)

James Browne: I hear the Deputy's concerns, and I will bring them to the Minister for Justice. Obviously, the provision of Garda stations is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the first instance, working with the OPW but I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the Minister for Justice.

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee (28 Sep 2023)

James Browne: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023: Second Stage (28 Sep 2023)

James Browne: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, I am pleased to introduce the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Bill 2023 to the House. This is timely and much-needed legislation and the Minister and I hope it will attract the strong support of the House. The key purpose of the Bill is to establish a dedicated and...