Results 2,941-2,960 of 7,789 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Accommodation (8 Nov 2022)

James Browne: 808. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding increasing the quantity of student accommodation available for undergraduate students in Ireland. [54260/22]

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (26 Oct 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senator Boyhan for raising the important issue of trihalomethanes, THMs, in our public water supplies, which gives me an opportunity to give an overview of the work being undertaken to improve the quality and resilience of our public and private water supplies. The programme for Government sets out clear and ambitious commitments to ensure that Irish Water accelerates the resolution...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Quality (26 Oct 2022)

James Browne: I highlight the fact that solutions typically consist of water treatment plant upgrades, a new connection or water schemes being taken in charge by Irish Water. The works to resolve the water quality issue are being funded under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage's multi-annual rural water programme. As the Senator said, the European Commission first raised the issue of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (26 Oct 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senator Lombard for raising this important matter regarding a statement on the progress of the new extension for Ballinspittle National School and an outline of the timelines for each project stage. The major building project for the school is included in the Department’s construction programme, which is being delivered under the national development plan. The brief provides...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects (26 Oct 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Senator for raising the important issue of Ballinspittle National School's new project. I hear the Senator's concerns about the population growing, how there is a real need for this school in a strong community that is very positive towards it, and about the delivery of this new important project. From the information provided to me, I understand the project is at the end...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Control of Dogs (26 Oct 2022)

James Browne: On behalf of the Minister for Rural and Community Development, I thank Senator Boylan for affording me the opportunity to speak on this very important matter. I understand there has been some concern about this issue. The Department of Rural and Community Development has policy responsibility for dog control and dog-breeding establishments, while the local authorities are responsible for all...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): Control of Dogs (26 Oct 2022)

James Browne: I fully understand the Senator's concerns with regard to local authorities having sufficient capacity to deal with the number of stray and surrendered dogs and while the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and her Department are not aware of any capacity issues in local authority dog pounds or shelters, I ask the Senator to make any such information available to them. Every January, after Christmas,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): School Meals Programme (26 Oct 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senator Kyne for raising this very important matter of the rates paid to providers of school meals across the country under the school meals programme. The school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,700 schools and organisations, benefiting 260,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular nutritious food to children who are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna (Atógáil) - Commencement Matters (Resumed): School Meals Programme (26 Oct 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Senator for raising this matter and for the constructive engagement. As I outlined, budget 2022 provided €68.1 million for a programme, with an additional €9 million provided to allow access to all new DEIS schools from September 2022. Additional funding for the programme has been provided for 2023, bringing the total to €91.6 million, which represents...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Domestic Violence (26 Oct 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Stanley for raising the very important matter of domestic violence refuge accommodation in County Laois. It is the intention of the Minister for Justice that every person who needs a refuge space will have access to one. The Minister fully acknowledges the need for a significant increase in the provision of refuge spaces and she is committed to achieving this to ensure that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Domestic Violence (26 Oct 2022)

James Browne: Again, I thank Deputy Stanley for raising the very important matter of the domestic violence refuge accommodation that is necessary in County Laois. I have heard the Deputy's concerns clearly and will relay them to the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee. I heard very clearly and understand the very strong commitment in County Laois to deliver this necessary accommodation to support women...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (26 Oct 2022)

James Browne: Pet theft is an incredibly cruel crime which causes huge trauma for pet owners all over the country. I fully appreciate the strong emotional attachment we all have to our pets and that theft not only leads to their loss in our lives, but also a high level of concern for their welfare. It is also a crime which often affects, and is indeed often targeted against, older and particularly...

Seanad: European Arrest Warrant (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (25 Oct 2022)

James Browne: I am pleased to bring the European Arrest Warrant (Amendment) Bill 2022 before the House on Second Stage. The Bill aims to address issues raised by the European Commission in infringement proceedings with regard to the State’s transposition of Council Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA on European arrest warrants and the surrender procedures between member states. Enactment of the Bill...

Seanad: European Arrest Warrant (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (25 Oct 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Senators for their contributions. I reiterate that the changes provided for in this Bill will enable the State to effectively respond to the issues that have been presented by the European Commission in formal legal infringement proceedings against this State. It is in our collective interests that there is consistent and effective operation of a European arrest warrant system....

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

James Browne: Amendments Nos. 4, 6, 11, 12 and 13 are being taken together. It was agreed that amendment No. 4 would be included in the group. They all seek to amend section 9.Section 9 provides for the membership of the commission. It provides that the commission will be chaired by the Chief Justice. It provides for an equal number of lay members and judicial members, that is, four of each. Judicial...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

James Browne: We are opposing them.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

James Browne: Section 9 provides for the membership of the commission in line with the Government's programme that the commission would be chaired by the Chief Justice. It provides for an equal number of lay and judicial members, with four each. Judicial members comprise the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal and two nominees of the Judicial Council. Section 12 provides for a more...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

James Browne: This is a proposed amendment to section 11, which deals with the power of the commission to appoint consultants and advisers and enter into contracts. The effect of the amendment would be to provide that for the stated number of years, the commission shall not appoint a person as a consultant or adviser where the person has been a Member of the Oireachtas, a Minister of the Government, an...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

James Browne: Amendments Nos. 15, 16 and 17 seek to amend section 12, which is a comprehensive provision setting out the arrangements for the nomination by the Judicial Council of members of the commission. It is important for me to be clear about these arrangements. The Judicial Council shall nominate two members of the council to be members of the commission. These nominees shall be appointed to the...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

James Browne: I would say in response to Senator Higgins's point that a replacement nomination is just that - a replacement meeting the same criteria for the same period only of the unexpired term occasioned by the vacancy itself. On Senator Ward's point, I fully agree that once on the Bench, a judge is not acting in the capacity of a former solicitor or a former barrister. He or she is simply a judge....