Results 2,601-2,620 of 7,179 for speaker:James Browne

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (1 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Stanton for raising the important issue of the funding of the N25, to upgrade it between Carrigtwohill and Midleton. In particular, the Deputy raises the important concerns around safety, employment and housing. I will certainly bring the Deputy's concerns to the Minister's attention. As I mentioned, the N25 Carrigtwohill to Midleton project remains on the list of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Gift Vouchers (26 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senator Maria Byrne for raising this important issue. According to the Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Act 2019, the term "gift voucher" means any voucher, coupon, document or instrument, including in electronic form, that is intended to be used as a substitute for money in the payment in whole or in part for goods or services, or otherwise exchanged for goods or services. This...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Gift Vouchers (26 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I again thank Senator Byrne for raising this important issue. We all know people who have been affected in terms of reducing balance fees. It is often only when a person presents a gift card given to him or her by a loved one that he or she realises the value has been reduced to a low amount or, in some cases, zero. It is incumbent that people purchasing vouchers are informed of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (26 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senator Boylan for raising this very specific question on amending the Juries Act to allow for inquest jurors to be paid while they serve. I understand that the Senator is raising this point in the context of the Stardust inquests. The Stardust fire was a national tragedy that has left a particular legacy of pain for many families and communities. I again offer my deepest sympathy...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (26 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Senator for raising this very important matter. The conduct of inquests is entirely a matter for the senior Dublin coroner, Dr. Myra Cullinane, and her independence in the context of such matters is set out in the Coroners Acts. Nine pre-inquest hearings have been completed to date. The ninth took place last week, on 19 January. My Department is committed to ensuring...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (25 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I condemn in the strongest possible terms any form of assault or use of a knife or other weapon to threaten and intimidate. Violent crime such as this has no place in our society. I would appeal to anyone who believes that carrying or using any form of weapon, be it a knife, or even a fist, is justified, to stop and think of the lasting damage and consequences of those decisions. Even if you...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (20 Jan 2022)

James Browne: 330. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an ecology felling licence in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2845/22]

Gender-based Violence: Motion [Private Members] (19 Jan 2022)

James Browne: Last year was a particularly challenging year in the fight against domestic sexual and gender-based violence as we dealt with the effects of Covid-19 and the ensuing restrictions that resulted in an increase in reported incidents. Less than two weeks into the new year we are reminded of this yet again with the senseless murder of Ashling Murphy, a young school teacher barely starting out in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (19 Jan 2022)

James Browne: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, who unfortunately cannot attend today, I thank the Senators for raising this very serious topic. I know that the Minister has offered to come into this House as early as possible and at a date that can be agreed to make statements. I want to begin by offering my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ashling Murphy and her community as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (19 Jan 2022)

James Browne: On behalf of the Minister, I thank Senators for raising this very serious matter. We all know there is no single solution to ending violence against women and tackling it requires a multifaceted approach, with genuine engagement and partnership across all sectors of our society. We need sufficient supports and services available throughout the country, appropriate legislation, an effective...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Data Protection (19 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising this issue which he has consistently raised in the House. The programme for Government commits to recognise the domestic and international importance of data protection in Ireland and states that the Government will ensure that Ireland delivers on its responsibilities under the general data protection regulation. The Government is very conscious of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Data Protection (19 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising the matter. I cannot give a direct answer to his specific question. I would be loath to anticipate, in any way, what this independent review is going to propose. The Department has carried out recent reviews quite quickly where necessary. I expect the answer will come in a short time. The Department of Justice continues to monitor the impact of the GDPR...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (19 Jan 2022)

James Browne: 325. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the inability by a company (details supplied) to secure Covid restrictions support scheme support owing to loss of earnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1222/22]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (19 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1219 and 1220 together. Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made regarding the number of antisocial behaviour orders issued in Counties Longford and Westmeath in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (19 Jan 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the recording of traffic offences, collisions and seizures of vehicles. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters. The Garda authorities have provided me with the information in the below...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Juvenile Offenders (19 Jan 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the courts are independent in their functions under the Constitution and the law. The matter of scheduling court cases is administered by the Courts Service in consultation with the Judiciary. With the exception of more serious offences, criminal prosecutions involving children (under 18) are generally heard in the District Court, which operates as the Children...

Proceeds of Crime (Gross Human Rights Abuses) Bill 2020: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 Dec 2021)

James Browne: As this is the last debate of the term, I thank the Ceann Comhairle and wish him a happy Christmas. I also wish the staff of the Houses a happy Christmas. We recognise the hard work a lot of people have done during the Covid period but we must recognise the contribution of the staff in the Houses to keeping both the Dáil and the Seanad going through that entire time. I also want to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Belturbet Bombing (16 Dec 2021)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Smith for raising this matter. He has championed this issue for many years to try to get to the truth of what happened. The bombing of Belturbet on 28 December 1972 was an appalling and callous act of violence that claimed the lives of two innocent young people - Geraldine O'Reilly and Patrick Stanley - and injured many others. The dreadful effects of this attack last to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Belturbet Bombing (16 Dec 2021)

James Browne: I again thank Deputy Smith for raising this very important matter. As he rightly pointed out, it is coming up to almost half a century since the bombings in Belturbet, but the pain is still very real for those families - the O'Reillys and Stanleys - who lost their loved ones, and the suffering continues for those families whose loved ones were injured in the horrific bombing. The Garda has...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (16 Dec 2021)

James Browne: I can confirm to the Deputy that funding of almost €200,000 is being provided to eight community-based projects to work with young people involved in the anti-social use of scramblers and quad bikes and related crime. This is an important issue for the Government and is reflected in the Programme for Government commitment to enhance powers available to An Garda Síochána to...