Results 3,141-3,160 of 7,179 for speaker:James Browne

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Visa Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: We introduced the new statutory declaratory process last January to address the backlog of applications. A number of amendments were needed to be able to carry this out. In the normal course of events, people would make their declarations in the presence of the relevant Ministers at that time at a set location. Because that could not be done, however, this new statutory declaration process...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Asylum Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. For people in the international protection process, the Government's objective is to have decisions made on their applications, including permission to remain, as soon as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of our protection can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here in Ireland with a sense of safety and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Asylum Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: The Deputy is correct in the statistics he provides. There were significant delays even pre-Covid. Covid has exacerbated the situation in a period when there was an intention to reduce the time for processing applications. However, processes are being put in place to ensure that we can meet the requirements that are set out both in the White Paper and our internal requirements to process...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Asylum Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I will give serious consideration to that report and how we can speed up the process. There is nothing in what the Deputy has said with which I can disagree. There have been long delays for a considerable time. We need to clear that backlog and get down to a quick, speedy and effective system for these people, many, if not all, of whom have been through serious traumatic experiences in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.952 billion in 2021. This has enabled sustained, ongoing recruitment. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation. This...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy is aware, a key pillar of the Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, is building stronger and safer communities. I can assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to ensuring that there is strong, visible community policing right across Ireland, both rural and urban. While An Garda Síochána has provided very dedicated service to assisting in the national...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I appreciate how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it. My Department has continued to accept and process applications throughout the pandemic. However, processing rates have been negatively impacted by the necessary health and safety related restrictions and from a High Court case in 2019, which was subsequently successfully appealed. As a result,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, proposals for a draft scheme to regularise undocumented migrants are being developed in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government. This will create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents. Applicants will need to meet specific...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to those who have been impacted by recent violent incidents. The Government is very conscious of the dangers presented by knife crime, and indeed all violent assaults. Clearly any stabbing has the potential to cause irreparable physical harm and tragic consequences and the Government is determined to ensure that similar problems to those which have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 122 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Status (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 132 and 138 together. As the Deputy will be aware, proposals for a draft scheme to regularise undocumented migrants are being developed in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government. This will create new pathways for long-term undocumented people...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and at all levels of public health restrictions. However, processing rates have been negatively impacted by the necessary health and safety related restrictions imposed and it has not been...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to those who have been impacted by recent violent incidents. The Government is very conscious of the dangers presented by knife crime, and indeed all violent assaults. Clearly any stabbing has the potential to cause irreparable physical harm and tragic consequences and the Government is determined to ensure that similar problems to those which have...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the fees charged for immigration registration and the issuing of the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card. While I have no current proposal to adjust the rate of fees, the matter is kept generally under review. Section 9 of the Immigration Act 2004 provides that a register of non-nationals who have permission to be in the State (in general for a...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: The criteria and requirements for visa required countries are kept under regular review in consultation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. A wide range of factors are taken into account, including the promotion of business and trade and facilitating people who wish to come to Ireland to work or study. However, there are a number of other factors that also must be taken into consideration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Policy (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, proposals for a draft scheme to regularise undocumented migrants are being developed in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government. This will create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents. Applicants will need to meet specific...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 5 April 2019. This application 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. I recognise the crucial role...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 28 May 2020. This application for 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 6 February 2020 and 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (8 Jul 2021)

James Browne: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in...