Results 3,141-3,160 of 7,789 for speaker:James Browne

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Energy Policy (2 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Griffin for raising this very important issue around energy security and policy. I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan, who could not be here today. At the outset, I wish to reiterate that the Government continues to stand in full solidarity with the people of Ukraine and our EU partners. Our support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity remains...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (2 Mar 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and ensuring that people both feel safe and are safe in their communities.  The rollout of community CCTV schemes across the country has benefitted many communities, helping people to feel safer in their local areas. It is a priority for my Department to ensure that community groups continue...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Environmental Schemes (1 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter. I have listened with real interest to his points. Until 2018 the scheme predominantly focused on delivering shallow measures such as attic or cavity wall insulation. In many cases where the walls were not cavity walls, only the attic was insulated. With the expansion of the scheme in 2018, internal and external wall...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Telecommunications Services (1 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Naughten for raising this important issue for discussion. It is well recognised how important telecommunications services are to citizens for so many aspects of their daily lives, including remote working, studying and staying in touch with family members. These services have proved even more essential since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and will continue to provide...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Environmental Schemes (1 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy McAuliffe for raising this important issue and I know he has raised it on a number of occasions. I am grateful for the opportunity to give an update on Government action on the better energy warmer homes scheme. The programme for Government and the climate action plan set ambitious targets to retrofit 500,000 homes to a building energy rating, BER, of B2 and to install...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2022)

James Browne: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. As he will be aware, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which encompasses all operational policing matters, including the allocation of resources. The Minister...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I, again, thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. All the Deputies in the area have continuously raised this matter, including Deputy McAuliffe, who is seated behind me here. In July last year, An Garda Síochána commenced an enhanced national anti-drug strategy, Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing throughout rural and urban...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Telecommunications Services (1 Mar 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter concerning the need for decisive steps to be taken to improve mobile phone telephone coverage in rural areas for individuals, businesses and emergency services. I will certainly bring to the Minister's attention his comments on the proposal for a shared rural network with costs estimated at between €30 million and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (1 Mar 2022)

James Browne: Last October, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sanctioned the recruitment of the CEO Designate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, and the process is now underway. The Public Appointments Service is managing the recruitment in conjunction with an Executive Search Agency. Applications for the position of CEO Designate opened on 25 February 2022, and will remain...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (24 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senator Clifford-Lee for raising the important matter of the feasibility of the establishment of a dedicated transport police service. On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy Helen McEntee, I express her thanks to the Senator for raising this important matter. Senator Clifford-Lee has raised this issue on numerous occasions in the House and behind the scenes with various...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Public Transport (24 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I again thank Senator Clifford-Lee for bringing up this important matter. I will, of course, bring her concerns to the attention of both the Minister for Transport, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, in my own Department. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I understand that Garda management engages...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (24 Feb 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and ensuring that people both feel safe and are safe in their communities. In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, I have established an Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour. The Forum is examining a broad range of issues with a focus on developing measures which will counteract the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Community Development Projects (22 Feb 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is not in a position to interpret the law as passed by the Oireachtas. The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 commenced on 1 December 2020, with all sections coming into effect. The 2019 Act modernises the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 and helps the better promotion of local gaming and lottery activity. The process whereby a charitable or...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: The recommendations continue to be under review. The new divisional model will also be implementing a significant number of those recommendations. Again, however, the deployment of the members of An Garda Síochána, whether they are designated as community gardaí and where they are assigned within a division is an operational matter for the chief superintendent.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will agree, climate is the defining challenge of our time. In Ireland we are already experiencing the result of this through flooding, more extreme weather and rising sea levels. As the threats from climate change increase, so does the need for urgent action to address them. The Government recognises this and is taking ambitious climate action steps as necessary to ensure a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be fully aware and as I have already stated, the right to protest peacefully is enshrined in the Constitution and protected. An Garda Síochána takes a human rights-led approach to any protest situation and seeks to uphold and protect the right of freedom of assembly and the right to protest. It also upholds the law and protects the public and businesses when...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question around enhancing policing in rural communities. I echo the words of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and extend my best wishes to the victims and families of the recent horrific attacks. I hope that those responsible are brought to justice and made accountable for their actions. A key pillar of Programme for Government: Our Shared...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: As of 31 January 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, 298 Garda members were assigned to the Roscommon-Longford division, of whom 92 were assigned to the Longford district. These figures represent an increase of more than 2% in the Roscommon-Longford division since December 2015 and an increase of almost 10% for the Longford district in the same period. Garda members in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Legislative Measures (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. As he will be aware, the right to protest peacefully is enshrined in the Constitution and under the law. It is an essential part of our democracy. An Garda Síochána, through its human rights-led approach to policing, seeks to uphold and protect the right to freedom of assembly and protest while also upholding the law and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (17 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I want to assure the Deputy that I am very much understand the anxiety which many people in rural areas are feeling in light of the recent horrific attacks on people in their homes. Notwithstanding the devastation which is caused by any such attack, it is important that we recognise that such incidents are relatively rare. As I have stated, there has been a 66% reduction in residential...