Results 5,921-5,940 of 7,312 for speaker:James Browne

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Schools of Music (30 May 2024)

James Browne: I fully understand and appreciate the concern raised in relation to the decision to close Newpark Academy of Music. No disrespect was shown. I was simply setting out the factual position that the academy does not come under the Department of Education's remit. I have no doubt the decision has been devastating for all of those involved. That said, the role of the Department of Education is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Protection (30 May 2024)

James Browne: I thank Senator Ahearn for raising the very important issue of Hearns Hotel in Clonmel being used as a facility for international protection applicants. I am responding on behalf of Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, who sends his apologies for not being here this morning. Ireland and many other European countries are experiencing a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Protection (30 May 2024)

James Browne: All I can confirm, based on the information provided to me by the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, is that the international protection procurement service is responding to an offer made to it of accommodation in respect of the property and the Department is assessing the property as to whether the accommodation is suitable and whether a contract should be agreed. However, I do not have any more...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Fishing Industry (30 May 2024)

James Browne: I thank Senator Kyne for raising this important issue as to whether Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority could agree a single point of inspection for oyster fishermen rather than duplication of inspections. I am responding on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, who sends his apologies. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Fishing Industry (30 May 2024)

James Browne: I again thank the Senator for raising this important issue. Referring it to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for consideration by his officials and Inland Fisheries Ireland, as the competent authority, is an important step taken by the Minister. While the inspections conducted by these statutory agencies are operational matters, there may nonetheless be an...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mayoral Election (30 May 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising this issue relating to the process of introducing a directly elected mayor for Cork city and county. The forthcoming direct election of a mayor of Limerick on 7 June is one of the biggest reforms of local government since the foundation of the State. The Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 was signed into law on 6 March...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Mayoral Election (30 May 2024)

James Browne: I again thank Senator Lombard for his insightful and important question on directly elected mayors, in particular for Cork city and county. An information leaflet on the election of the mayor was recently delivered to every home in Limerick and explains the many benefits for Limerick which may apply in regard to the directly elected mayor. I understand the Senator's point, which is beyond...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Human Rights (30 May 2024)

James Browne: I thank Senator Byrne for raising this very important issue of the need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to make a statement on the ongoing protests in Georgia and to reiterate Ireland's support for Georgia's path to accession to EU membership. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I welcome the discussion of this matter and thank the Senator for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Human Rights (30 May 2024)

James Browne: Ireland stands with the Georgian people in their pursuit of democracy and membership of the European Union. We will continue to urge the Georgian Government to withdraw the law and implement the necessary reforms to ensure Georgia's place in the EU. The EU has made it abundantly clear to Georgia that it is willing to work with the country to advance its European perspective but the Georgian...

Seanad: Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2024: Motion (30 May 2024)

James Browne: I begin my statement today by welcoming all present to the Seanad. I thank Members for having me to provide a statement on this motion on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman. The Government continually has a strong commitment to achieving gender equality in Ireland through a variety of actions, which is a key tenet of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability,...

Seanad: Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2024: Motion (30 May 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Cathaoirleach and the Senators for the debate on the expansion of the parent's leave and benefit entitlement from seven to nine weeks. Regarding the uptake, from January to end of April 2024, there were 25,578 applications for the benefit, comprising 10,285 men and 15,293 women. Perhaps the gap is not as big, therefore, as we might have expected. As for surrogacy leave,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Animal Welfare (11 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 542 together. Dog theft is a serious crime and that can come with prison sentences of up to ten years for theft and for handling of stolen property and up to five years for possession of stolen property. If a burglary is involved, the sentence may be up to 14 years imprisonment. When imposing sentences, judges are not limited to considering the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (11 Jun 2024)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the Gambling Regulation Bill is a public health measure aimed at protecting our citizens from gambling harm, including younger people and those more vulnerable in our communities. The legislation shall prohibit the participation of persons aged younger than 18 in gambling activities. Section 172 of the Bill as approved by the Dáil provides that it shall be an...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Services (11 Jun 2024)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, a top priority of the Youth Diversion Strategy is the expansion and deepening of the services offered to young people by the Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs), which are fully funded by my Department. These projects provide an invaluable support to complement the work of An Garda Síochána in addressing youth crime and protecting local communities. YDPs are...

International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (18 Jun 2024)

James Browne: Opting into the pact is Ireland's opportunity to undertake co-ordinated wide-reaching reforms in an area that has seen mounting public interest in recent times. It will provide better co-ordination between member states, the faster processing of applications and return of inadmissible and failed asylum applicants, reduced secondary movement and enhanced data sharing and screening through an...

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I will begin by stressing the benefits of migration to Ireland. At present, just under 500,000 people in our labour force were born outside of Ireland. We would face significant challenges in many areas of our economy without migration. I also highlight that Ireland benefits immensely from membership of the European Union. A combination of factors, such as our highly educated workforce...

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

James Browne: There are copies available.

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

James Browne: This is a Schengen measure, but Ireland will align with these provisions in national law insofar as is possible. We will also have access to this important security information. The Eurodac regulation improves the current IT system that allows us to check whether someone has claimed international protection in another member state, thereby enhancing data collected on irregular migration....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Services (18 Jun 2024)

James Browne: The expansion and deepening of the services offered to young people by the Youth Diversion Projects, which are fully funded by my Department, is a significant priority both for myself and Minister McEntee. These projects provide an invaluable support to complement the work of An Garda Síochána in addressing youth crime and protecting local communities. In Budget 2024, the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Services (19 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 87 together. Every young person deserves the opportunity to improve their quality of life and our commitment to expanding youth justice services and increasing funding reflects our commitment to young people. This commitment is a central point of our Youth Justice Strategy, launched in 2021, which provides a developmental framework to address key...