Results 3,201-3,220 of 7,789 for speaker:James Browne

Seanad: Child Trafficking and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senators Flynn, Higgins, Ruane and Black for bringing forward this very important Bill. I understand it is Senator Flynn’s first Bill. I congratulate her hugely on bringing forward this very important legislative contribution.I want to acknowledge the very genuine intentions of all of the sponsoring Senators in bringing forward this Bill. The objective of this Bill is to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (2 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Quinlivan for raising the very important matter of Operation Copóg, which targets the sale and supply of controlled drugs in Limerick. The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, GNDOCB, is having significant success in disrupting drug trafficking and supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. The bureau's work is supported by Garda divisional drugs...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (2 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Quinlivan for raising this very important matter around the issue of Garda Operation Copóg, the aim of which is to target the sale and supply of controlled drugs in Limerick. The Government is acutely aware of the sustained and significant damage that drug dealing has on communities across the country. Organised criminal activity, including drug dealing, represents a...

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

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) 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 (ASB). The Forum is examining a broad range of issues with a focus on developing measures which...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (1 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Connolly for raising the important issue of staff shortages in Galway City Council which have led to the cancellation of some essential services in the city. I would like to clarify that under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, the chief executive is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (1 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I am representing the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Local Authorities (1 Feb 2022)

James Browne: Unfortunately, I do not have a specific answer on the need for approval by a Department in regard to extending panels or hiring specific staff, but I will bring that to the attention of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and endeavour to get an answer for the Deputy. I will finish with an important point which, bearing in mind the concerns raised, puts the situation...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (1 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue of the future of Desmond Castle in Kinsale, a beautiful town I have visited on a number of occasions. His passion for the heritage and culture of that part of County Cork is well known. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy O'Donovan. Desmond Castle in Kinsale, which is also...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (1 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy for raising this important matter of the future of Desmond Castle in Kinsale. As I said, this is a complex project with several elements, all of which will have to come together when work starts on the site. Appointing the specialist design team is the first step in the process, which has begun. While it was anticipated the repair and conservation project would be...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (1 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this important matter on the urgent need for the upgrade of the N25 national road between Midleton and Carrigtwohill, County Cork. It is not the first time the Deputy has raised it. He has been raising it consistently with the Minister. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (1 Feb 2022)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Stanton for raising the important issue of the funding of the N25, to upgrade it between Carrigtwohill and Midleton. In particular, the Deputy raises the important concerns around safety, employment and housing. I will certainly bring the Deputy's concerns to the Minister's attention. As I mentioned, the N25 Carrigtwohill to Midleton project remains on the list of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Gift Vouchers (26 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senator Maria Byrne for raising this important issue. According to the Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Act 2019, the term "gift voucher" means any voucher, coupon, document or instrument, including in electronic form, that is intended to be used as a substitute for money in the payment in whole or in part for goods or services, or otherwise exchanged for goods or services. This...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Gift Vouchers (26 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I again thank Senator Byrne for raising this important issue. We all know people who have been affected in terms of reducing balance fees. It is often only when a person presents a gift card given to him or her by a loved one that he or she realises the value has been reduced to a low amount or, in some cases, zero. It is incumbent that people purchasing vouchers are informed of the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (26 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I thank Senator Boylan for raising this very specific question on amending the Juries Act to allow for inquest jurors to be paid while they serve. I understand that the Senator is raising this point in the context of the Stardust inquests. The Stardust fire was a national tragedy that has left a particular legacy of pain for many families and communities. I again offer my deepest sympathy...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (26 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I again thank the Senator for raising this very important matter. The conduct of inquests is entirely a matter for the senior Dublin coroner, Dr. Myra Cullinane, and her independence in the context of such matters is set out in the Coroners Acts. Nine pre-inquest hearings have been completed to date. The ninth took place last week, on 19 January. My Department is committed to ensuring...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (25 Jan 2022)

James Browne: I condemn in the strongest possible terms any form of assault or use of a knife or other weapon to threaten and intimidate. Violent crime such as this has no place in our society. I would appeal to anyone who believes that carrying or using any form of weapon, be it a knife, or even a fist, is justified, to stop and think of the lasting damage and consequences of those decisions. Even if you...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (20 Jan 2022)

James Browne: 330. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an ecology felling licence in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2845/22]

Gender-based Violence: Motion [Private Members] (19 Jan 2022)

James Browne: Last year was a particularly challenging year in the fight against domestic sexual and gender-based violence as we dealt with the effects of Covid-19 and the ensuing restrictions that resulted in an increase in reported incidents. Less than two weeks into the new year we are reminded of this yet again with the senseless murder of Ashling Murphy, a young school teacher barely starting out in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (19 Jan 2022)

James Browne: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, who unfortunately cannot attend today, I thank the Senators for raising this very serious topic. I know that the Minister has offered to come into this House as early as possible and at a date that can be agreed to make statements. I want to begin by offering my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ashling Murphy and her community as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (19 Jan 2022)

James Browne: On behalf of the Minister, I thank Senators for raising this very serious matter. We all know there is no single solution to ending violence against women and tackling it requires a multifaceted approach, with genuine engagement and partnership across all sectors of our society. We need sufficient supports and services available throughout the country, appropriate legislation, an effective...