Results 3,221-3,240 of 7,179 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Agreements (16 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I can confirm that the entry and transit visa restrictions which were brought into effect on 28 January 2021, as a necessary interim measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect public health have been lifted with effect from today, 16 June 2021. This move is in line with the Government’s Resilience and Recovery Plan for Living with COVID-19 and will be welcome news for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rights of Way (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising an important matter which is exercising many Members, solicitors and others.I want to convey the apologies of the Minister for Justice, Deputy Humphreys, who regrets she cannot be here for this matter due to the Cabinet sitting. On behalf of the Minister and the Government, I thank Senator Gallagher for raising the matter. The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rights of Way (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I again thank the Senator for raising the matter. During Covid, there has perhaps been an issue around public awareness on many different issues and, in particular, when these changes will occur and what they actually mean. Perhaps there is concern that these changes will have a greater legal impact than they will in fact have. I agree with the Senator that rights of way can be extremely...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aviation Industry (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank Senators Dooley and Buttimer for raising this critical matter for the aviation sector regarding regional access within Ireland and connectivity throughout the world. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Naughton, who cannot be here but who sends her apologies. I would like to provide an update on the challenges facing the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Aviation Industry (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I acknowledge that both Senators have a genuine interest in the sector, not just locally or regionally but nationally as well. It is a matter that both have raised regularly, even before the pandemic. I will convey all their concerns to the Minister of State and the Government to ensure that whatever steps can be taken will be taken as quickly as possible. I agree that speed in regard to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Test (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising the matter of the possibility of a temporary amnesty for the driver theory test. Every Senator and Deputy is acutely aware of the serious backlog in theory tests and the impact of same. Certainly anybody in that situation has my sympathy and staff in my constituency office in Wexford are acutely aware. I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Driver Test (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I appreciate the Senator's very real concerns around this matter. I know that he would not in any way suggest that road safety should be compromised and that it is certainly not the angle he is coming from on this matter. He has a genuine concern about the backlog, which many of us have, in terms of people trying to get access to theory tests. The backlog is having a very real impact on...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank Senator Mullen for raising this important matter, which I am taking on behalf of Minister of State, Deputy Robert Troy, who unfortunately cannot be here this morning. PIAB is an agency under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment that independently assesses claims for compensation arising from personal injuries. It can assess claims only where both parties,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: There is not a gaping hole and there is no lacuna. It is on purpose. PIAB is an administrative body and both parties voluntarily enter its process to try to resolve the matter as quickly as possible without resorting to litigation. If we were to introduce what the Senator is proposing, we would effectively turn PIAB into a quasi-judicial body.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: Parties would then effectively expect to have to be legally represented, which would only increase costs significantly. It is a process in which it is hoped that both parties will engage openly and honestly to resolve the matter in question, if possible. If an insurance company believes an applicant is in any way being untruthful - companies have their own resources to make these...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: It is not a lacuna. It is on purpose.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Employment Support Services (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank Senator Currie for raising this timely matter. I apologise on behalf of the Tánaiste who cannot be here this morning. Co-working hubs are becoming increasingly relevant as a result of the Covid pandemic. They have brought great benefits to people's lifestyles, allowing them to spend more time with their families and their communities. As our country continues to navigate...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Employment Support Services (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I again thank the Senator for raising the matter. I will bring it to the Tánaiste's attention. In my county I have seen the improvement in people's lifestyles, the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of people being able to work from home and not having to commute long distances. They can benefit from remote working hubs and we are looking to develop more of those in County...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Directives (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I apologise on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, who is in Lisbon today for important discussions relating to the Common Agricultural Policy and, unfortunately, cannot be here. I thank Senator O’Donovan for providing me with the opportunity to update the House on the matters pertaining to this very important issue. For the record, I should state at the outset that the strict...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Directives (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I hear that Senator O'Donovan is very passionate and has genuine concerns on this matter. It is a matter that affects a number of coastal counties, including my county of Wexford. I will certainly bring his concerns to the attention of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, when he returns from Lisbon. It is a matter I will certainly raise with him as the concerns, which are real and genuine,...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Bill 2018: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I am pleased to have the opportunity to present the Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Bill to the House for Report and Final Stages. As the House is aware, the purpose of the Bill is to consolidate and simplify the law relating to offences and related offences. The Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Bill 2018 aims to establish a statutory criminal offence, much...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Bill 2018: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I note the concerns expressed by Senators about the Title. The Title was changed for the purposes of consistency on the advice of the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. I note the Senators' remarks in that regard. I cannot say why perjury was not put on a statutory footing before now. All I can say is that the provision is now going to be enacted and brought into law. I acknowledge the...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Bill 2018: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: The second group of amendments comprises amendments Nos. 7 to 9, inclusive, amendment No. 20 and amendment No. 21. This group of amendments relates directly to the offence of perjury and subornation of perjury. Amendment No. 7, in section 2, amends the definition of perjury so that it may apply to statements of truth in addition to sworn statements and affidavits. Amendment No. 8 is...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Bill 2018: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank Senator Davitt for his comment on that matter.

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Bill 2018: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: Amendments Nos. 10 to 19, inclusive, are in group 3. The group of amendments relates to sections 5 and 6. Amendments Nos. 10 and 11 are technical amendments to the wording of this section on the advice of the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. Amendments No. 13 is a technical amendment to section 5(2), rewording the subsection so that it reads more clearly. Amendments Nos. 14 and 15 are...