Results 2,781-2,800 of 7,010 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (30 Sep 2021)

James Browne: The application of the person referred to by the Deputy has been received by the Immigration Service of my Department. I am advised that their passport will be returned to them in the coming days. My Department has not suspended the receipt or processing of citizenship applications at any stage during the pandemic. However, processing rates have unfortunately been negatively...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (30 Sep 2021)

James Browne: My Department’s Justice Plan 2021 identifies the enactment of legislation to licence and regulate the gambling industry as a key objective. Work on the General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill is at an advanced stage. 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...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (29 Sep 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I know it is something she has been working on for some time. It is a matter of concern for quite a number of people. This matter relates to a change in the law on prescriptive rights of way that was due to take effect on 30 November 2021. A prescriptive right of way is one acquired by long use as of right by a property owner over a neighbour's...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (29 Sep 2021)

James Browne: I agree about public awareness. My office was contacted by people asking what they should do about registering rights of way. Problems have arisen as Ireland has become more mobile. Where there might have been a farmer at the end of a laneway with one neighbour, there might be extra houses now and that can be challenging. I know of the case of a couple where the people who own the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Second Stage (29 Sep 2021)

James Browne: I welcome the opportunity to present this Bill to the Seanad. Its purpose is to strengthen Ireland's regime against the smuggling of persons, and to implement several important international instruments. People smuggling is the facilitated, irregular movement of people across borders for financial or other benefit. It is distinct from human trafficking in that smuggling occurs with the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Second Stage (29 Sep 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Senators for their important contribution, general welcome for the Bill and making constructive comments and information. Several Senators referenced submissions by IHREC and a number of other bodies in regard to the pre-legislative scrutiny. There was significant criticism at the time. In drafting the Bill versus the scheme, we tried to address as many of those as possible...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (29 Sep 2021)

James Browne: The persons referred to by the Deputy submitted online Join Family visa applications on 14 July 2021.  The supporting documentation and relevant fees were received on 13 August 2021 in the Hanoi visa office. These applications are currently awaiting comprehensive examination. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (29 Sep 2021)

James Browne: The International Protection Office of my Department is responsible for processing applications for international protection under the International Protection Act 2015. It also considers, as part of a single procedure process, whether applicants should be given permission to remain. For reasons of confidentiality I am unable to comment on any individual immigration or international...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (29 Sep 2021)

James Browne: I recognise and acknowledge the crucial role the person referred to by the Deputy, and all frontline workers, have and are continuing to play in responding to the threat of COVID-19. They work in a challenging environment and deal with vulnerable people on a daily basis. Their exceptional commitment has been particularly clear throughout the pandemic, during which they have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (29 Sep 2021)

James Browne: This application for a certificate of naturalisation continues to be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision in due course. It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. The nature of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (29 Sep 2021)

James Browne: The application referred to by the Deputy is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (28 Sep 2021)

James Browne: I recognise and acknowledge the crucial role frontline workers are continuing to play in responding to the threat of COVID-19. They work in a challenging environment and deal with vulnerable people on a daily basis. Their exceptional commitment has been particularly clear throughout the pandemic, during which they have been playing a key role in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (28 Sep 2021)

James Browne: I can confirm that an application for a Stamp 1G permission from the person referred to by the Deputy has been approved. They can expect to receive their new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card within the next 10 working days. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (28 Sep 2021)

James Browne: The persons referred to by the Deputy are US nationals and therefore are visa exempt. They do not require a visa to enter the State for periods of up to 90 days. However, in order to work in Ireland, a non-EEA national, unless they are exempted, must hold an Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) permission granted by my Department or a valid employment permit issued by the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (28 Sep 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy will appreciate, a number of unforeseen issues have negatively impacted the processing of citizenship applications in recent years. A High Court case, which was subsequently successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal, resulted in significant delays in 2019, and the loss of over six months processing time. Additionally, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on staff attendance in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (28 Sep 2021)

James Browne: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (28 Sep 2021)

James Browne: In response to the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, my Department is currently focused on processing applications for Afghan family members of Irish citizens and Afghan nationals living in Ireland. We are prioritising all such applications and processing them speedily and sympathetically. A total of 295 visa applications, including both short and long term visas, have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (28 Sep 2021)

James Browne: The fees in relation to applications for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011. The current application fee is €175, payable when an application for naturalisation is lodged. A certification fee is payable only when the application is successful and a certificate of naturalisation issues. The...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (28 Sep 2021)

James Browne: For reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State. An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (28 Sep 2021)

James Browne: The processing of this application is ongoing at present. The EU Treaty Rights Division of the Immigration Service of my Department will contact the applicant by the end of this week with an update on their case. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie),...