Results 3,101-3,120 of 7,010 for speaker:James Browne

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy. I am aware of his genuine interest in this matter. My Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations of the expert advisory group report to reduce processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to six months, as outlined in the White Paper to end direct provision and establish a new international protection support service. Work is under...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: The Deputy is correct. People who seek refuge in this country have often experienced traumatic events that have led them to seek the protection of another state. The White Paper proposes that the new system should be operational by 2023. My Department will be represented on a programme board to be established and chaired by my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputies for raising an important issue around citizenship. As a Minister of State, I am a great believer in plain English. In everything we are doing I want to see that there is a simple and clear process, especially so that people can engage with the system and get those simple and clear answers when necessary. I will be visiting Burgh Quay in the afternoon and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: On the issue of costs, when the Department increased the costs around the citizenship process, one thing it found was that the quality of applications significantly increased and in turn the processing was far more effective and quicker. The costs reflect the cost of processing the applications. I know it impinges on people, however. I have dealt with a lot of British citizens in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naturalisation Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this important matter. As the Deputy is aware, the atypical working scheme was established as a cross-departmental response to address the matter of non-European Economic Area, EEA, workers on certain categories of vessels in the Irish fishing fleet who are not currently eligible for permission under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment's...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naturalisation Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: Again, I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this important matter. I do not have figures on how many, if any, scheme participants have applied for naturalisation but will endeavour to get them for the Deputy. It is important that we make those people aware that they can apply for naturalisation and that the period under a stamp 1 permit is reckonable, which they may not know. I will engage...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naturalisation Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I have no difficulty with meeting representatives of the industry. Indeed, I am quite happy to do so. As I said, I will engage with the Minister of State, Deputy English, on the matter. I do not have the figures the Deputy is seeking but I will get them for him as soon as possible. I am very much aware of the issues involved here and perhaps, in conjunction with the Department of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Carroll MacNeill for raising this very important matter. I propose to take questions Nos. 121, 123 and 133 together. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and at all levels of public health restrictions. Unfortunately, processing rates have been impacted by the necessary health and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: As we all know many people have a strong emotional attachment to our pets and I therefore appreciate that their theft can be a traumatic experience. This is an issue that is of personal importance to me and indeed I previously introduced a Bill to enhance the place of companion animals in legislation. Work on this Bill is currently ongoing in my Department. Minister McEntee and I met...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: My Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations in the Advisory Group Report and the White Paper to reduce international protection processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months respectively. This commitment applies to everyone in the international protection process, whether they are residing in Direct Provision accommodation or living...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Law Reform (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: The review of the Defamation Act 2009 is a legislative priority for the Government and my Department. The Justice Plan 2021 restates the Programme for Government commitment to review and reform our defamation laws to ensure a balanced approach to the right to freedom of expression and the right to protection of good name and reputation, as well as ensuring effective access to justice. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: 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 person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. The Justice Plan 2021 identifies the enactment of legislation to licence and regulate the gambling industry as a key objective. As outlined in the Justice...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Proposed Legislation (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: 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 person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. The Justice Plan 2021 identifies the enactment of legislation to licence and regulate the gambling industry as a key objective. As outlined in the Justice...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 160 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the new Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027 was published on 15 April last. The Strategy includes the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system, including early intervention and preventative work, family support and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I wish to assure the Deputy that Ireland has a robust Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism framework. Ireland’s anti money laundering framework was assessed by the global standard-setter, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Ireland was found to have “a generally sound legislative and institutional AML/CFT framework”. Earlier this...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Deportation Orders (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: My Department has adopted a pragmatic and compassionate approach to immigration arrangements in the context of COVID-19. In line with this approach, Deportation Orders are being enforced only in circumstances where an individual may be a threat to national security or whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest. With regard to legal proceedings, it is the case...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: My Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and at all levels of public health restrictions. Unfortunately, processing rates have been negatively impacted by the necessary health and safety related restrictions imposed and we have been unable to hold in-person citizenship ceremonies since March 2020. In addition to the Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: My Department started a limited resumption of visa services from 26 April 2021. During this time we have recommenced accepting and processing all Long Stay “D” visa applications (with the exception of English Language Study); those identified under our current criteria as Emergency/Priority visas; and applications from people entitled to avail of the provisions of the EU Free...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I can assure the Deputy that I am very conscious of how anti-social behaviour affects the quality of life for individuals and for local communities. The safety of citizens remains a priority for An Garda Síochána and Community Gardaí are present in and available to all communities. I am informed that there is ongoing liaison with community leaders and schools to discourage...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: My Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations in the Advisory Group Report and the White Paper to reduce international protection processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months respectively. This commitment applies to everyone in the international protection process, whether they are residing in Direct Provision accommodation or living...