Results 2,541-2,560 of 7,789 for speaker:James Browne

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: We have turned the corner. There will be 30,000 new homes, the first affordable homes in a generation and more social housing.

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: The Labour Party should own up. Its vote collapsed not because it made tough decisions but because it broke its moral contract with the people.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: As the Deputy may be aware, the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) was established in June 2022 on a non-statutory basis, with representation from stakeholders, my Department and An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State. In line with its...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: The Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) was established on a non-statutory basis, with representation from stakeholders, my Department and An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State. In line with its comprehensive terms of reference, which were...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: Amendment No. 1 is a Government amendment and proposes changes to be made to the Long Title of the Bill. The amendment is a technical amendment for the purpose of inserting two commas on either side of the phrase "by the Commission" where it appears in line 13 of page 5. The amendment was one of amendments to the Long Title suggested by Senator Ward on Committee Stage. I have asked my...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: Amendment No. 2 relates to the Long Title of the Bill, which gives a synopsis of what the Bill proposes to do and the legislation it proposes to amend. The amendment provides for the deletion of an element of the Long Title referring to the recommendation of the Group of States against Corruption, GRECO, of the European Council on the system of selection, recommendation and promotion of...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: Amendment No. 4 is grouped with amendment No. 16. Amendment No. 4 seeks to amend section 9 by replacing it. Section 9 provides for the membership of the commission and provides, in line with the Government programme, that the commission will be chaired by the Chief Justice. It provides for an equal number of lay and judicial members, four of each. The judicial membership comprises the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Bodies (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I can advise the Deputy, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Meetings (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 565, 567, 568, 589, 591 and 602 together. I can advise the Deputies that the final meeting of the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) took place on 3 March 2023, and that the Committee has now finalised its reports. I understand that the reports will be submitted to me imminently and it is my intention to publish them shortly after this, along with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Bodies (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: The Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) was established to serve in an advisory capacity on firearms matters. Its terms of reference, which are publicly available, include to carry out an assessment of all types of firearms, to determine their current use under the existing licensing system and their suitability for future licensing. I can advise the Deputy, the FEC was made up of five...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (28 Mar 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 legislative reform will cover gambling online and in person, and include powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. As the Deputy will be aware, the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 was approved by Government on the 15th November 2022....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (28 Mar 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 any decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. Having a microchipped animal means found or recovered animals can...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (28 Mar 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 any decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda resources, including public awareness campaigns. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am advised by the Garda...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their valuable contributions on this important Bill. I am pleased to respond to the debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Deputy Harris. The Minister and I are determined to make our communities safer through measures and supports to prevent crime and harm, particularly to individuals who are vulnerable and at risk. We are also committed to...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee (23 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.

Seanad: Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (23 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Senators for their contributions to this very important Bill. As I said, the provisions of this Bill have been carefully designed to strengthen and improve the system of managing and monitoring sex offenders. It is, therefore, a very important Bill. I thank the Senators for their contributions.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (23 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 325 together. I can confirm that my Department has received correspondence from the organisations referred to and I can advise the Deputies that I have responded accordingly. It was noted in the published reports that two of the Firearms Expert Committee's (FEC) terms of reference were discussed as agenda items at the committee's sixth and seventh...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (21 Mar 2023)

James Browne: As the Deputy will know, Irish law has strict controls governing the issuing of firearm certificates by An Garda Síochána and stringent conditions on the holding of firearms. Since the commencement of the Firearms Act 1925, any person in possession of a firearm must be in possession of a firearms certificate for that firearm. Every application for a firearm certificate is...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (21 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1054, 1076, 1085 and 1095 together. I propose to take PQs 12440/23, 13174/23, 13288/23 and 13593/23 together. I can inform the Deputies, as noted in the published reports, that two of the Firearms Expert Committee's (FEC) terms of reference were discussed as agenda items at the Committee's sixth and seventh meetings. These were: - To consider whether...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Mar 2023)

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