Results 3,461-3,480 of 7,010 for speaker:James Browne

Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Howlin for sponsoring the Bill and pursuing it. It is extremely important and I commend his work on it. I also thank Members throughout the House for their contributions on the Bill as it has worked its way through the Dáil. Amendments Nos. 1 to 7 all relate to the definition of an intimate image for the purposes of the offences in sections 2 and 3 of the Bill....

Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Report and Final Stages (17 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I move amendment No. 1: In page 13, to delete lines 13 to 19 and substitute the following: “(a) by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraph (d): “(d) in the case of a designated person who is a barrister, the Legal Services Regulatory Authority;”, (b) by the deletion of paragraph (da) (inserted by section 214 of the Legal Services...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (17 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 470 and 471 together. 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. While a General Scheme of a Gambling Control Bill was published in 2013, a considerable amount of...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (17 Dec 2020)

James Browne: 527. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 596 of 8 December 2020, the position regarding the creation of multidisciplinary teams, MDTs, in community healthcare organisations 6, 7 and 9; the position regarding recruitment and appointment of optometrists, orthoptists and other support staff to deliver care in these teams; the locations of the MDTs; the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services (17 Dec 2020)

James Browne: 573. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 596 of 8 December 2020, the position regarding the creation of MDTs in CHOs 6, 7 and 9; the position regarding recruitment and appointment of optometrists, orthoptists and other support staff to deliver care in these teams; the locations of these MDTs; the anticipated delivery time frame; the locations of the MDTs...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Northern Ireland (15 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for raising this very important and serious matter. The bombing of Belturbet on 28 December 1972 was an appalling and callous act of violence that claimed the lives of two innocent young people and injured others. The pain and anguish caused was very evident in the television programme broadcast last night as family members recalled the events that took their loved ones...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Northern Ireland (15 Dec 2020)

James Browne: Again, I thank Deputies Smith and Cowen for raising this important matter. In looking at how we can move forward, it is important to emphasise that the Garda criminal investigation remains open and any new information or evidence will be thoroughly investigated in Ireland and in Northern Ireland, with the assistance of the PSNI. As I said earlier, the Minister for Justice has sought an...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Vehicle Registration Tax (15 Dec 2020)

James Browne: 200. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the Revenue Commissioners arrangements related to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42995/20]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (15 Dec 2020)

James Browne: 213. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the review of an application by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43291/20]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Visiting Regulations (10 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I appreciate the Deputy's concern and thank him for raising this important issue.  I am assured that every effort has been made by the IPS to continue physical visits during this pandemic.  As the Deputy is aware, it was necessary to suspend physical visits to prisons, first in March and again in October, following public health guidance.  The service is acutely aware of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Visiting Regulations (10 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy. I absolutely understand that the loss of family contact has an impact on prisoners. This is something which has affected people across society over the last year as a result of Covid. I agree that prisoners having contact with family helps with stability and can result in better outcomes upon release. I also agree that having to choose which two members will attend a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Prison Visiting Regulations (10 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I again thank the Deputy. As I have said, if any flexibility can be allowed, I will certainly encourage the IPS to allow it. It will, of course, have to consider both the practical difficulties and the difficulties arising from Covid and the public health advice, which must be followed. This will obviously result in a very difficult situation for the families concerned, especially where...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (10 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and I share his concern about knife crime and all violent assaults. We are familiar with the problems in neighbouring jurisdictions in this regard and the Government is determined to ensure that similar problems do not develop in Ireland, particularly as any stabbing incident has the potential to cause irreparable physical harm or tragic...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (10 Dec 2020)

James Browne: The increase in knife seizures comes as a result of greater targeted efforts by An Garda Síochána in trying to get knives off our streets as opposed to indicating an increase in crime rates. As I stated, the number of people requiring an overnight stay in hospital because of knife injuries is down significantly, indicating that the number of serious incidents is reducing. I will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (10 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for his contributions. I will certainly bring his concerns to the attention of the Department and An Garda Síochána.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Crime (10 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. A key pillar of the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future is building stronger and safer communities. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring there is strong, visible community policing right across Ireland, both rural and urban. To this end, the Department has secured an unprecedented budget of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Crime (10 Dec 2020)

James Browne: The Deputy may wish to note that as of 31 October 2020, there were 384 gardaí assigned to the Laois-Offaly division. This represents an increase of 38% since 2015, when there were 278 gardaí assigned to the division. On the same date, there were 38 Garda staff civilians assigned to the division, an increase of almost 73% since 2015, when 22 staff members were assigned to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Crime (10 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I absolutely agree with the Deputy. I too wish to see a greater emphasis on community policing. Community gardaí play a very important role in communities. I expect to publish the youth justice strategy in the next month or two. It will provide a comprehensive approach to dealing with young people who are coming into the network of the Courts Service and the criminal justice system....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Commemorative Events (10 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I understand that An Garda Síochána is considering the issuing of a commemorative ribbon and coin for personnel working during the centenary year but I will certainly bring the matter of a medal to the attention of An Garda Síochána as well as something to take note of and take into account. A lot of this is still open for review and consideration, and any ideas of merit...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Commemorative Events (10 Dec 2020)

James Browne: I know this is an area in which the Deputy has a real and genuine interest. I will certainly bring his idea to the attention of An Garda Síochána. I think the Defence Forces oral history project was carried out in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It is through those records that I know about the actions of my great-grandfather in 1916. We know that oral histories can be extremely...