Results 2,221-2,240 of 7,789 for speaker:James Browne

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: As regards scramblers, that change in the legislation was a recommendation of a sub-committee of my antisocial behaviour forum. I am glad the legislation was passed and is now operational. The distribution of gardaí is an operational matter and for the Commissioner. I have no doubt he keeps Limerick very much to the fore, however.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and all gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda operating model that is currently being rolled out in all divisions and has been fully commenced in ten. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: As stated, the transfer and stationing of An Garda Síochána is an operational matter for the Commissioner, but I will bring the Deputy's concerns to him. On recruitment, An Garda Síochána has brought in important measures to comply with its language obligations. These include the introduction of an Irish language stream in the recruitment process, whereby 10% of all...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: As I said, it is an operational matter for the Commissioner, but I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Commissioner. The new Irish Language Strategy 2022-2025 establishes a pathway and puts in strong mechanisms to ensure we have members of An Garda Síochána and a situation where the Irish language gets the recognition it deserves within An Garda...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I am committed to supporting An Garda Síochána in achieving their objectives through recruitment, Irish language development, awareness, promotion and engagement. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of resources, including Garda members, to a given division, district or station. An...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities, and a strengthened, well-resourced An Garda Síochána is central to this policy. While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, we engage regularly with him to ensure our gardaí have the resources they need. The unprecedented allocation of in excess of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: While I have no direct role in the assignment of gardaí or any Garda resource, I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies, are continuously monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures the optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I acknowledge the courage and bravery of gardaí who faced those riots on that Thursday, including those from Dublin and those who came from further afield responding to the call to support the gardaí in Dublin, who faced those violent thugs who sought to take advantage of a very difficult and challenging situation. We all acknowledge the bravery and courage of those gardaí who...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: As I understand it, An Garda Síochána is always very conscious of victims of crime and works very carefully to keep families updated in relation to any investigations. There is strong ongoing co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI. The cross-Border joint agency task force was established under a 2015 fresh start agreement...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I do not have an answer to hand on Schedule 3 but I will get the answer relayed to the Deputy. With regard to unresolved cases I assure the Deputy that on Troubles-related matters, there is significant co-operation between Ireland and United Kingdom. In certain circumstances where cases have not been resolved the investigations remain open and An Garda Síochána follow up fully on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legal Aid (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: In its over 40 years of operation, the civil legal aid scheme has been a significant and beneficial public service, providing legal aid and advice to people of limited means in civil disputes, including family law. However, since the scheme was set up Irish society has changed and the demands on the services have grown. In June 2022, the Minister for Justice, Deputy Helen McEntee,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legal Aid (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I assure the Deputy that the work of the civil legal aid review group is advancing following on from the progress report received in May. The scheme is important for those who face particular barriers in accessing justice. The group's recommendations will be vital to ensuring that those with the most acute needs get the support to resolve their legal disputes, as outlined by the Deputy....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Legal Aid (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I can assure the Deputy the review is looking in particular at the most acute needs of those who need the support. As I said earlier, most financial eligibility thresholds have not been considered for quite some time and that is the very essence of this review.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. It raises a very important issue with regard to the work undertaken by the authorities here in the investigation of Troubles-related murders in this jurisdiction, as well as co-operation with UK Troubles legacy processes that have a cross-Border dimension. I assure the Deputy that in circumstances where such offences have not been...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Pension Provisions (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: 472. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the urgent need for processing an invalidity pension appeal by person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54700/23]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: The Anti-Social Behaviour Forum is examining a broad range of issues, with a focus on developing measures which will address the factors that give rise to anti-social behaviour and its impact on community morale and quality of life. The causes of anti-social behaviour are multifaceted, including addiction, unemployment, social and economic issues. Members of the Forum are drawn from a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 544 and 545 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, and include powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. When established, Údarás Rialála...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I am very conscious of the effect that knife crime can have on the quality of life for local communities and the Government is determined to tackle this issue. As the Deputy may be aware the Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), which I 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...

Delivery of a Rights-Based Care Economy in Ireland: Motion (7 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I thank the members of the Women's Parliamentary Caucus for their proposals to deliver a rights-based care economy in Ireland. It is a very timely motion and I commend them on it. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, very ably detailed the Government's response to the care needs of older people and the supports for carers provided throughout the social protection system. I...

Opt-in under Protocol No. 21: Motion (5 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their contributions and support for this motion. The challenge we have in dealing with counterfeiting is that we need to have an approach that is across the European Union while also working with other international partners. As has been pointed out, the challenge is, in particular, to protect retailers and customers who often lose out and to make people aware of...