Results 3,521-3,540 of 7,010 for speaker:James Browne

Scrambler Motorbikes and Quad Bikes: Motion [Private Members] (17 Nov 2020)

James Browne: I thank all the Deputies who have contributed this evening. I think we all agree on the importance of ensuring this issue is effectively addressed. It is an issue of serious and genuine concern that makes our public and social spaces unsafe for others and creates a sense of real fear among the public. Anti-social behaviour in any form negatively impacts on the quality of life of our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Data Protection (17 Nov 2020)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. It is important to note that the DPC is independent in the performance of its tasks and the exercise of its powers. Therefore, the Senator will appreciate that I cannot comment on legal proceedings in which the commission was or is involved. Nor can I comment on findings of the courts, given that they are also independent in the exercise of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Data Protection (17 Nov 2020)

James Browne: I assure the Senator that the Government's position is reflected in our ongoing commitment under the programme for Government to recognise the domestic and international importance of data protection in Ireland. Moreover, we will ensure that Ireland delivers on its responsibilities under the general data protection regulation. The DPC finds itself at the fore of many key data protection...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Support Services (17 Nov 2020)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising this very important matter. The visiting teacher service for children with hearing and visual impairments in Ireland provides support for the education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and for children who are blind or who have significant visual impairment.Support is provided for parents in schools at the preschool stage and at primary and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Disability Support Services (17 Nov 2020)

James Browne: I thank the Senator again for raising this important matter and I understand and appreciate his disappointment at the reply and a lack of commitment to a review of the delivery of the results. The Senator has expressed his view that there is good work being done, but it could be done better. I will certainly raise his concerns with the Minister of State after this Commencement matter has...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Enrolments (17 Nov 2020)

James Browne: I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising this extremely important matter in the county of Kildare and surrounding areas. As the Senator may be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, the Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources to identify where...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: School Enrolments (17 Nov 2020)

James Browne: Once again, I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising an important issue around school capacity in Kildare. I hear her genuine concerns about this matter and will certainly convey to the Minister that there is a real sense of a need for urgency to deliver the new school and to ensure that until the school is effectively built and opened, appropriate and necessary measures are put in place to...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020: Second Stage (17 Nov 2020)

James Browne: I thank Senator O'Loughlin for her remarks and I acknowledge the intent and work behind this Private Members' Bill. The area of hate crime is of particular interest to the Senator and I am aware of her track record and considerable work in trying to advance the legislative position in recent years. The proposals in this Bill reflect the vital public interest in protecting persons from the...

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

James Browne: There is no current legislation with regard to online video gaming engaged in by individuals. However, I am aware that there has been some attention on issues arising in the context of video gaming. In particular, whether in-game purchases or micro-transactions, described as "loot boxes", "skins" etc., designed to improve the players’ chances of success in inter-active online games,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Vaccination Programme (17 Nov 2020)

James Browne: 847. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding pharmacies’ orders for flu vaccines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37015/20]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes (17 Nov 2020)

James Browne: 911. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position on the need to increase LEADER funding for the national food initiative from 50% to 75%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36547/20]

Regulation of Private Security Firms Bill 2019: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Nov 2020)

James Browne: I listened carefully to Deputy Ó Laoghaire and the other contributors. It is important to highlight there is a common and shared objective, namely, to bring persons involved in the execution and enforcement of court orders, including orders for repossession, within the definition of "security service". It requires licensing under section 2 of the Private Security Services Act. The...

Regulation of Private Security Firms Bill 2019: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Nov 2020)

James Browne: Where one has difference in style, one will have a difference in debate. It actually speaks to a bigger issue, namely, the lack of plain English. That puts up a serious barrier in law for people to be able to access their rights. We heard much commentary about the lack of proper eviction notices. Very often people do not know their rights and when they go to look them up, it is hard...

Regulation of Private Security Firms Bill 2019: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Nov 2020)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire for bringing forward this Bill. At the outset, let me state that the Government fully understands and appreciates his reasons for bringing it forward and is supportive of the important public policy objectives that underpin it. For this reason, the Government has decided not to oppose the Second Stage of the Bill. However, I would like to advise the House...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (10 Nov 2020)

James Browne: 273. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding driver licence appointments for those seeking to exchange their UK driver licence in exchange for an Irish driver licence before Brexit as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34909/20]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (10 Nov 2020)

James Browne: 295. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Covid restrictions support scheme will be extended to support wholesalers that are currently excluded and whose business supplies goods or services to another business that qualifies for the support (details supplied). [35152/20]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (10 Nov 2020)

James Browne: The Government is committed to the modernisation of the licensing and regulatory environment for gambling in Ireland and this is reflected in the Programme for Government commitment to the establishment of a gambling regulator. Work on the drafting of the General Scheme of a Bill to give effect to this commitment is underway in my Department and is expected to be completed during 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (10 Nov 2020)

James Browne: The Programme for Government commits to establishing a gambling regulator focused on public safety and wellbeing, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. The only current legislation providing for online gambling is contained in the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 which permits the licencing by the Revenue Commissioners of...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (6 Nov 2020)

James Browne: I thank Senators for the opportunity to address this resolution, the purpose of which is to extend the sunset clause in the Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020. Senators will know that section 17 of the Act provides that it shall continue in operation until 9 November 2020 unless a resolution approving its continuation has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas...

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Act 2020: Motion (6 Nov 2020)

James Browne: I thank the Senators for their contributions on this resolution. We had a very good and wide-ranging debate and everybody who wanted to contribute was able to do so. I will start by addressing the amendment put forward, which effectively seeks to change the extension in the sunset clause from the one proposed by the Government to a date in February. A similar amendment was put forward in...