Results 2,621-2,640 of 7,789 for speaker:James Browne

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (16 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I assure the Deputy there was massive interest in joining the Garda during the last recruitment campaign. There were more than 11,000 initial responses and we have had no difficulty in finding people who want to become members of the Garda. There is no issue in respect of the attractiveness of the Garda or people seeking to become gardaí. That is reflective of the high esteem in which...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Service (16 Feb 2023)

James Browne: The main point the Deputy is making is that prisons are effectively an ecosystem and need to be treated as such. Prisons encompass staff, prisoners and management and we must ensure that both prisoners and staff have the services and the supports they need. On mental health, I absolutely agree with the Deputy. Indeed, I raised the same issue numerous times when I was in opposition. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Service (16 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I absolutely agree. There has not always been a recognition of that in the past but now there is an understanding that people need those kinds of supports. Often people end up in prison because of a lack of support services when they were younger. When I visited Cork Prison the high number of inmates with undiagnosed dyslexia was really notable. That led to people leaving school at an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Service (16 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this important matter. The Irish Prison Service is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for both staff and people in prison. This includes ensuring sufficient staffing and managing attendance issues. The Prison Service has been recruiting prison officers in the past number of years and has also put in place a range of supports for staff....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (16 Feb 2023)

James Browne: In terms of data, the reason we have commissioned the Central Statistics Office, CSO, to undertake a national survey is to establish the prevalence of sexual violence. The results are expected next month. The intention is to establish whether there is an increase in events of sexual violence or an increase in the number of people reporting what is happening. We must create a situation...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (16 Feb 2023)

James Browne: The Government is very much aware of the serious situation regarding young people and what they can access online. There is a cross-government approach to addressing this very serious situation. Work is being led by the new domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency, which is also working with the Department of Education and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (16 Feb 2023)

James Browne: That is how the Internet works. Deputy Tóibín is being a little bit naive to say that if we simply ban something that it will prevent it happening.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (16 Feb 2023)

James Browne: That is not what we are saying. We are doing a significant amount of work in this area. We have put a lot of bodies in place and we are addressing this very serious situation. We must address all of the areas and not take a simplistic approach to it either.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Courts Service (16 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this important matter. An independent, impartial and efficient Judiciary and courts system is critical to our democracy. The Government will work with the Courts Service and the Judiciary to deliver a number of important commitments in the programme for Government, which will help ensure that we have a modern Courts Service. This includes enacting a Family...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Courts Service (16 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I concur with the Deputy on the importance of having appropriate facilities. I practised family law in the old courthouse in Wexford. It was conducted in a public sphere where people were also queuing to pay their motor tax. We now have a new court in Wexford town which has dramatically changed the situation for people in difficult circumstances. We must see that right across the entire...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Courts Service (16 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I agree with the Deputy not only about having the physical spaces but having modernisation through technology. That is crucial. We have seen what can be done during Covid in terms of the courts and advancing and speeding up the use of technology. We need to see more of that. The enabling of video technology in courtrooms is part of the courts modernisation programme, as well as the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (16 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for his question. As can be seen from the zero tolerance strategy published by the then Minister for Justice, Deputy Helen McEntee, last summer, the Government is committed to tackling sexual violence in all its forms. The Government’s plan recognises the importance of strong legislation, reporting, supports for victims and a co-ordinated approach in our work with...

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

James Browne: Is the debate to adjourn at 5 p.m.?

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I will say what needs to be said but leave enough time for Senator Martin.

Seanad: Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the Seanad on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy Harris. I thank Senator Martin for introducing this important Private Member's Bill on Second Stage today. I acknowledge the co-sponsorship of the Bill by a large number of Senators and the eloquent contributions made by all the speakers. The stated aim of the Bill is to amend the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Bill 2021: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I am pleased to bring the Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Bill 2021 before the House. The purpose of this Bill is to implement framework decision 2008/909 on the mutual recognition of custodial sentences, which provides for the transfer of sentenced persons between EU member states. The Bill also amends and updates the existing legislation underpinning transfers...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Bill 2021: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senators for their contributions. Regarding costs, I can say that inward and outward transfers offset each other and having this robust system in place will help to reduce costs as well. By way of an indication of numbers to give Senators a sense of this, inward transfer volumes have been significantly affected by the issues arising since the decision in 2014....

Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (8 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I move amendment No. 68: In page 45, after line 38, to insert the following: “Amendment of Parole Act 2019 58.The Parole Act 2019 is amended— (a) in section 2— (i) in subsection (1), in the definition of “relevant governor”— (I) in paragraph (b), by the substitution of “so released,” for “so released, or”,...

Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (8 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I move amendment No. 69: In page 46, to delete lines 18 to 25 and substitute the following: “(a) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (a): “(aa) the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act 1995,”, (b) in paragraph (c), by the substitution of “the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003,” for “the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003,...

Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Custodial Sentences) Bill 2021: Report and Final Stages (8 Feb 2023)

James Browne: I move amendment No. 70: In page 46, between lines 25 and 26, to insert the following: “Amendment of Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Decisions on Supervision Measures) Act 2020 58.The Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Decisions on Supervision Measures) Act 2020 is amended— (a) in section 11— (i) in subsection (1), by the substitution of the...