Results 3,261-3,280 of 7,789 for speaker:James Browne

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice (Supplementary) (1 Dec 2021)

James Browne: My understanding is that where members of the Garda have that skill set, it is being used. This particular hardware - I got a good briefing on the type of technology that is needed, some of which comes from the United States of America, in my Garda station in Wexford - is state-of-the-art technology. Where that training is needed it will be brought in from the outside, but in a secure...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice (Supplementary) (1 Dec 2021)

James Browne: We are allowed to carry over up to 10% of an unspent capital fund from a particular year into the following year. Due to the Covid pandemic, a number of building projects probably faced challenging situations when it came to spending money, which we have seen across the construction sector. In that context, it would be expected that funding would be carried over. As we know, there is an...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice (Supplementary) (1 Dec 2021)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Daly for his comments. I certainly hear what he is saying and I will take his comments back to Government. Obviously, the location is not a decision for me but the Deputy makes a strong argument for keeping that courthouse in the town centre. I come from a town that lost its courthouse ten years ago and I saw the impact of that in my town centre. A number of factors need to...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice (Supplementary) (1 Dec 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Chair. He will be aware the new Forensic Science Ireland, FSI, laboratory is a €99.5 million project comprising just over €90 million in capital with a contingency fund attached to it. It is something we should welcome. When it is established, it will be important for our justice system. The OPW has responsibility for delivering that project. In line with the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice (Supplementary) (1 Dec 2021)

James Browne: Yes. The overall budget for the project is €99.5 million, comprising €90.5 million for the main contract and the balance, including a contingency fund, for site clearance, prep works and the contract itself. Up to September this year, €47.97 million, representing 52% of the total cost of the project, has been spent on the main contract. As I said, when an assessment...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice (Supplementary) (1 Dec 2021)

James Browne: Criminal legal aid is a vital element of our criminal justice system. The 1962 Act gives effect to a constitutional right and states that legal aid may granted for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. As someone who practised criminal law as a barrister, there is the weight of the State on one side. Therefore, it is essential that whoever is facing a...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice (Supplementary) (1 Dec 2021)

James Browne: I will begin with waiting lists and delays in the courts. Our courts remained an essential service during the pandemic and were allowed to remain open, but there were some very real challenges around capacity in the courts system that resulted in a backlog. The Government is endeavouring to fill judicial vacancies at the earliest opportunity to ensure the courts have the necessary judges in...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice (Supplementary) (1 Dec 2021)

James Browne: I am aware of the case put forward by the Judiciary for an increased number of judges. That is why the judicial planning working group has been put together. We are looking forward to the report, which is being compiled independently by Ms Brigid McManus. This is in line with the programme for Government. We need to see not just how many judges are needed, but where they are needed at the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice (Supplementary) (1 Dec 2021)

James Browne: Yes. I have not practised as a barrister for 14 years but I know how important registrars are and how important it is they be looked after as well.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice (Supplementary) (1 Dec 2021)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, there is a programme commitment to reopen six Garda stations. In conjunction with the Office of Public Works, OPW, there has been successful completion of the refurbishment of four of the six Garda stations that have been reopened: Donard in County Wicklow; Ballinspittle in County Cork; Stepaside in County Dublin and Rush, also in County Dublin. Two remaining...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: EU Directives (30 Nov 2021)

James Browne: I can confirm to the Deputy that the European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against Ireland in relation to the following EU Directives which fall under the remit of my Department: - Directive (EU) 2017/853 - Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2019/68 - Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2019/69 - Directive 2014/62/EU - Directive (EU) 2018/843 - Directive...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (25 Nov 2021)

James Browne: As I stated, there are no community CCTV schemes in Westmeath or Roscommon, but if the Deputy is aware of groups that wish to avail of the grant aid scheme, further details, as I said, are available on the website. With CCTV schemes come data protection challenges. The schemes have to be done very carefully and legally. The Garda Síochána (digital recording) Bill, the general...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for consistently raising the importance of Garda deployment in his area and for supporting the organisation there. The distribution of members of the Garda throughout the country is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and the designation of members of the Garda within the divisions is a matter for the chief superintendent. We have seen a significant increase in funding...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

James Browne: The distribution of gardaí is a matter for Garda senior management. I hope the 800 additional members of the Garda funded through this year’s budget will mean additional resources right across the country. In fact, I have no doubt about this. There will be an estimated 14,600 fully attested members of An Garda Síochána and 600 in training, putting us on course to meet...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (25 Nov 2021)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Flaherty for raising the important matter of the expansion of Garda CCTV. We are aware of how important CCTV has become in detecting crime. As the Deputy may be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration, budget and business of An Garda Síochána, which includes...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (25 Nov 2021)

James Browne: CCTV schemes have an important role to play in deterrence, prevention, detection and the prosecution of offences. My Department is currently funding a community CCTV scheme for a group in Longford town and will provide a once-off maintenance grant to it. My Department has received no applications for community CCTV funding in counties Roscommon and Westmeath, but any applications will be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Antisocial Behaviour (25 Nov 2021)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Haughey for raising this important matter. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is determined to tackle antisocial behaviour. Our communities deserve to feel safe and to be safe and our three local community safety partnerships being piloted in Dublin north inner city, Waterford and Longford are designed to identify the issues causing communities to feel unsafe and to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Antisocial Behaviour (25 Nov 2021)

James Browne: I understand the Deputy's concerns. The distribution of An Garda Síochána and the role it is going to play is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and the chief superintendent within each particular area. I can advise that as of 31 October, the latest date for which we have figures, there were 781 Garda members assigned to the DMR north division. This represents an increase of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Antisocial Behaviour (25 Nov 2021)

James Browne: I assure the Deputy in respect of proposed legislation that we are advancing all legislation as quickly as possible. The Department of Justice, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and I have moved a significant volume of legislation through the Houses already. I am advised by An Garda Síochána that the focus of Operation Twintrack is pro-engagement with a high level of visibility at...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (25 Nov 2021)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Flaherty for bringing up this very important matter. I know it is something the Deputy has raised on a number of occasions. As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the deployment of gardaí. As Minister of State, I have...