Results 2,361-2,380 of 7,003 for speaker:James Browne

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I, again, thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. All the Deputies in the area have continuously raised this matter, including Deputy McAuliffe, who is seated behind me here. In July last year, An Garda Síochána commenced an enhanced national anti-drug strategy, Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing throughout rural and urban...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Telecommunications Services (1 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter concerning the need for decisive steps to be taken to improve mobile phone telephone coverage in rural areas for individuals, businesses and emergency services. I will certainly bring to the Minister's attention his comments on the proposal for a shared rural network with costs estimated at between €30 million and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (1 Mar 2022)

James Browne: Last October, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sanctioned the recruitment of the CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, and the process is now underway. The Public Appointments Service is managing the recruitment in conjunction with an Executive Search Agency. Applications for the position of CEO Designate opened on 25 February 2022, and will remain...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (24 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senator Clifford-Lee for raising the important matter of the feasibility of the establishment of a dedicated transport police service. On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy Helen McEntee, I express her thanks to the Senator for raising this important matter. Senator Clifford-Lee has raised this issue on numerous occasions in the House and behind the scenes with various...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (24 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I again thank Senator Clifford-Lee for bringing up this important matter. I will, of course, bring her concerns to the attention of both the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, in my own Department. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I understand that Garda management engages...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (24 Feb 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and ensuring that people both feel safe and are safe in their communities. In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, I have established an Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour. The Forum is examining a broad range of issues with a focus on developing measures which will counteract the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Development Projects (22 Feb 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is not in a position to interpret the law as passed by the Oireachtas. The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 commenced on 1 December 2020, with all sections coming into effect. The 2019 Act modernises the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 and helps the better promotion of local gaming and lottery activity. The process whereby a charitable or...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: The recommendations continue to be under review. The new divisional model will also be implementing a significant number of those recommendations. Again, however, the deployment of the members of An Garda Síochána, whether they are designated as community gardaí and where they are assigned within a division is an operational matter for the chief superintendent.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will agree, climate is the defining challenge of our time. In Ireland we are already experiencing the result of this through flooding, more extreme weather and rising sea levels. As the threats from climate change increase, so does the need for urgent action to address them. The Government recognises this and is taking ambitious climate action steps as necessary to ensure a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be fully aware and as I have already stated, the right to protest peacefully is enshrined in the Constitution and protected. An Garda Síochána takes a human rights-led approach to any protest situation and seeks to uphold and protect the right of freedom of assembly and the right to protest. It also upholds the law and protects the public and businesses when...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question around enhancing policing in rural communities. I echo the words of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and extend my best wishes to the victims and families of the recent horrific attacks. I hope that those responsible are brought to justice and made accountable for their actions. A key pillar of Programme for Government: Our Shared...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: As of 31 January 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, 298 Garda members were assigned to the Roscommon-Longford division, of whom 92 were assigned to the Longford district. These figures represent an increase of more than 2% in the Roscommon-Longford division since December 2015 and an increase of almost 10% for the Longford district in the same period. Garda members in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. As he will be aware, the right to protest peacefully is enshrined in the Constitution and under the law. It is an essential part of our democracy. An Garda Síochána, through its human rights-led approach to policing, seeks to uphold and protect the right to freedom of assembly and protest while also upholding the law and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I want to assure the Deputy that I am very much understand the anxiety which many people in rural areas are feeling in light of the recent horrific attacks on people in their homes. Notwithstanding the devastation which is caused by any such attack, it is important that we recognise that such incidents are relatively rare. As I have stated, there has been a 66% reduction in residential...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I can assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to ensuring that there is strong, visible community policing right across both rural and urban Ireland. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda operations aimed at preventing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: My thoughts are with the victims of the recent horrific attacks in their own homes. I know I speak for everyone in this House in utterly condemning these senseless and cowardly attacks and also in my belief that the perpetrators must be brought to justice. Incidents like these, although rare, are terrifying not only for the victim themselves but for the entire community. Home is the one...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 142 together. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to ensuring that there is strong, visible community policing right across both rural and urban Ireland. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 128 together. The Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. The Government has approved the Gambling Regulation Bill for priority drafting and publication. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 141 together. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is very conscious of the dangers presented by knife crime and is determined to ensure that similar problems to those which have developed in neighbouring jurisdictions do not develop here in Ireland. As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management...