Results 3,261-3,280 of 7,179 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: The person referred to by the Deputy has instituted Judicial Review proceedings. These Judicial Review proceedings are ongoing at present and therefore, as the matter is sub judice, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time. Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: Two recommendations were made under section 21(3) of the International Protection Act 2015 between January and the end May 2021. These applications for international protection were deemed inadmissible under section 21(2)(a) of the International Protection Act 2015, as another EU Member State had already granted refugee status or subsidiary protection status to the person. This precludes...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: International Protection (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I can confirm that no Return Orders have been issued to date in 2021, under the relevant Section of the International Protection Act 2015 (as amended). The 2015 Act was amended by Part 18 of the Brexit Omnibus Act 2020, and the relevant provisions came into effect from 1 January 2021. This means that the amendments do not apply to people whose applications were deemed inadmissible in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sport and Recreational Development (15 Jun 2021)

James Browne: The process whereby a charitable or philanthropic organisation can apply to the District Court for a lottery licence is set out in the new Section 28 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, as inserted by the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019. Applications for lottery licences should be made to the District Court of the district in which it is proposed to promote the lottery,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (15 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 are being lifted with effect from tomorrow, 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: Counterfeiting Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I welcome the opportunity to present the Bill to the House. The euro is the second most widely used global currency after the US dollar. Figures released by the European Central Bank this year show there are 25 billion euro banknotes in circulation, with a value of over €1.4 trillion. Responsibility for protecting the euro currency against counterfeiting is shared between the EU...

Seanad: Counterfeiting Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

James Browne: Section 15 provides for regulation-making powers for the CBI. Section 16 provides that where it is necessary for the purpose of the performance of its functions under this Part, the CBI may require a relevant person to provide information, records, plans, etc. Sections 17 and 18 provide for the appointment of authorised officers by the CBI to perform the functions under section 13. ...

Seanad: Counterfeiting Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Senators for their valuable contributions to the debate. While the Bill, for the most part, is technical in nature, its subject matter is very important and it also tangentially touches on very important issues. Regarding the delay in bringing forward the Bill, when I was appointed as Minister of State last September, a significant number of EU directives needed to be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising an important matter encountered by people who seek international protection. I am very conscious of the difficulties and trauma encountered by people who seek international protection and I am glad that, throughout the pandemic, my Department's international protection office has remained open to allow people the opportunity to do so in line with our...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy. I am aware of his genuine interest in this matter. My Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations of the expert advisory group report to reduce processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to six months, as outlined in the White Paper to end direct provision and establish a new international protection support service. Work is under...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: International Protection (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: The Deputy is correct. People who seek refuge in this country have often experienced traumatic events that have led them to seek the protection of another state. The White Paper proposes that the new system should be operational by 2023. My Department will be represented on a programme board to be established and chaired by my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputies for raising an important issue around citizenship. As a Minister of State, I am a great believer in plain English. In everything we are doing I want to see that there is a simple and clear process, especially so that people can engage with the system and get those simple and clear answers when necessary. I will be visiting Burgh Quay in the afternoon and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: On the issue of costs, when the Department increased the costs around the citizenship process, one thing it found was that the quality of applications significantly increased and in turn the processing was far more effective and quicker. The costs reflect the cost of processing the applications. I know it impinges on people, however. I have dealt with a lot of British citizens in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naturalisation Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this important matter. As the Deputy is aware, the atypical working scheme was established as a cross-departmental response to address the matter of non-European Economic Area, EEA, workers on certain categories of vessels in the Irish fishing fleet who are not currently eligible for permission under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment's...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naturalisation Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: Again, I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this important matter. I do not have figures on how many, if any, scheme participants have applied for naturalisation but will endeavour to get them for the Deputy. It is important that we make those people aware that they can apply for naturalisation and that the period under a stamp 1 permit is reckonable, which they may not know. I will engage...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naturalisation Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I have no difficulty with meeting representatives of the industry. Indeed, I am quite happy to do so. As I said, I will engage with the Minister of State, Deputy English, on the matter. I do not have the figures the Deputy is seeking but I will get them for him as soon as possible. I am very much aware of the issues involved here and perhaps, in conjunction with the Department of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Citizenship Applications (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Carroll MacNeill for raising this very important matter. I propose to take questions Nos. 121, 123 and 133 together. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and at all levels of public health restrictions. Unfortunately, processing rates have been impacted by the necessary health and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: As we all know many people have a strong emotional attachment to our pets and I therefore appreciate that their theft can be a traumatic experience. This is an issue that is of personal importance to me and indeed I previously introduced a Bill to enhance the place of companion animals in legislation. Work on this Bill is currently ongoing in my Department. Minister McEntee and I met...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: My Department is committed to implementing the key recommendations in the Advisory Group Report and the White Paper to reduce international protection processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months respectively. This commitment applies to everyone in the international protection process, whether they are residing in Direct Provision accommodation or living...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Law Reform (3 Jun 2021)

James Browne: The review of the Defamation Act 2009 is a legislative priority for the Government and my Department. The Justice Plan 2021 restates the Programme for Government commitment to review and reform our defamation laws to ensure a balanced approach to the right to freedom of expression and the right to protection of good name and reputation, as well as ensuring effective access to justice. ...