Results 3,201-3,220 of 7,010 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (18 May 2021)

James Browne: An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 8 July 2020. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (18 May 2021)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 634, 673 to 675, inclusive, and 679 together. The Government and public health advice is clear, everybody should avoid non-essential travel completely. The travel restrictions are part of the Government’s efforts to interrupt the transmission of COVID-19 and they are designed to support our current public health restrictions on movement, including into...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (18 May 2021)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 645 and 646 together. The Family Reunification Unit (FRU) of the Immigration Service of my Department currently has 24 family reunification applications from Palestinian applicants on hand, 9 of which are in the final stages of processing. I expect a decision to issue on these applications shortly. FRU will continue to process...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Youth Work Projects (18 May 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) are a fundamental support to the operation of the statutory Garda Diversion Programme and provide a vital ingredient in enhancing community policing. These projects are community based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives. As an essential crime prevention and community safety service, GYDPs have continued in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (18 May 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 Statement of Strategy and the Justice Plan 2021, identify the enactment of legislation to licence and regulate the gambling industry as a key objective. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (18 May 2021)

James Browne: The Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department estimated that it would finalise in the region of 12,000 citizenship applications in 2020. However, the Deputy will appreciate that these figures were projected before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and before Citizenship Division became aware of the impact the pandemic would have on its processing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Ceremonies (18 May 2021)

James Browne: On 18 January 2021, a temporary system that enables applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty was launched. Approximately 2,014 people have received their Irish citizenship since then.  A further 1,823 people have returned their signed statutory declarations and the Immigration Service of my...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Antisocial Behaviour (18 May 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the policing of any individual incidents of anti-social behaviour is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am aware that Dublin City Council closed off Portobello plaza last weekend as a result of the antisocial behaviour seen in the area. As the restrictions are eased and the economy and society returns to normal, changes in the...

Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (13 May 2021)

James Browne: This is a very important Bill. I acknowledge the Minister, Deputy McEntee, who introduced the Bill. I thank Deputies for their contributions and engagement. I welcome their comments and will consider carefully the various important points that have been raised. Families and individuals do not enter into insolvency lightly. It is a very difficult situation and a difficult and...

Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (13 May 2021)

James Browne: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to have this opportunity to move Second Stage of the Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2020. The main purpose of the Bill is to make a number of urgent amendments to the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 which will make it easier for insolvent persons, including those in financial difficulties arising from the economic impact...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (13 May 2021)

James Browne: The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (13 May 2021)

James Browne: Applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 as amended. There are no provisions to apply different criteria depending on the category of employment of the applicant. All applicants for citizenship are required to meet minimum periods of reckonable residence in the state and their...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residency Permits (13 May 2021)

James Browne: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Burgh Quay Registration Office reopened earlier this week on Monday, 10 May 2021. Customers who had their appointments cancelled when the Office closed in December under Level 5 restrictions are being contacted directly by the Immigration Service of my Department to arrange a new appointment date. All other first time registrations will be carried...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Peace Commissioners (13 May 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy is aware, Peace Commissioners are appointed by the Minister for Justice under Section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924. Peace Commissioners are empowered to act in their county of assignment and within the counties adjoining that county. While every effort is made to maintain accuracy, it should be noted that Peace Commissioner records are appointment based and they do not...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Student Visas (13 May 2021)

James Browne: As part of Government efforts to tackle the pandemic, in January 2021, new visa requirements on passport holders from a number of South American countries and South Africa were introduced and the Immigration Service of my Department also took the decision to temporarily cease accepting new visa/preclearance applications from all countries, with the exception of the Priority/Emergency case...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (13 May 2021)

James Browne: As part of Government efforts to tackle the pandemic, in January 2021, new visa requirements on passport holders from a number of South American countries and South Africa were introduced and the Immigration Service of my Department also took the decision to temporarily cease accepting new visa/preclearance applications from all countries, with the exception of the Priority/Emergency case...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Naturalisation Applications (13 May 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...

Private Security Services (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 May 2021)

James Browne: I thank Deputies for their valuable contributions to the debate on this short but very important Bill. We all recall what happened on North Frederick Street and in other repossession cases. We understand the risks involved in having unregulated security personnel getting involved in repossessions. We do not want to see those kinds of incidents repeated. That is our motivation in bringing...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (12 May 2021)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Burgh Quay Registration Office reopened earlier this week on Monday, 10 May 2021. Customers who had their appointments cancelled when the Office closed in December under Level 5 restrictions are being contacted directly by the Immigration Service of my Department to arrange a new appointment...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Asylum Applications (12 May 2021)

James Browne: For reasons of maintaining full confidentiality, it is not my Department's practice to comment on whether an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State. An applicant for such protection status, or their legal representative, should contact either the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) directly, as...