Results 3,801-3,820 of 9,126 for speaker:James Browne

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 May 2023)

James Browne: Amendment No. 12 seeks to amend section 12. Section 12 is a comprehensive provision setting out the arrangements for the nomination by the Judicial Council of members of the commission and it is important to be clear about these arrangements. The Judicial Council shall nominate two members of the council to be members of the commission and these nominees shall be appointed to the commission...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (17 May 2023)

James Browne: No.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (16 May 2023)

James Browne: As I previously advised the Deputy, I established the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) on a non-statutory basis with representation from stakeholders, my Department and An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State. In line with its...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2023: Second Stage (10 May 2023)

James Browne: This Bill, which I am pleased to present to the House, has the sole purpose of increasing the statutory maximum prescribed in respect of the number of judges of the District Court, the Circuit Court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Senators will be aware that the Report of the Judicial Planning Working Group was recently received and considered by the Government. The Judicial...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2023: Second Stage (10 May 2023)

James Browne: I thank all the Senators who have contributed to this debate. It has been pointed out this is a short and technical Bill. However, its objective is to provide a continuing basis for an effective courts system, which is of central importance to our society and the economy. Both the judicial planning working group and the OECD have concluded that significant numbers of additional judges will...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Directives (9 May 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for bringing this matter to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Harris. The Senator will be aware that Ireland, as a member of the European Union, offers freedom of movement to nationals of the European Economic Area and certain family members. The relevant EU legislation in this regard is the directive on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Directives (9 May 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I will raise the matter with the Minister. As the Senator will be aware, Ireland, as a member state of the European Union, offers freedom of movement to nationals of the European Economic Area and certain family members. The relevant EU legislation in this regard is a directive on the rights of citizens of the Union and their families...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Correspondence (9 May 2023)

James Browne: I can advise the Deputy, that I established the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) on a non-statutory basis with representation from stakeholders, my Department and An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State. In line with its comprehensive...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cash-for-Gold Outlets (3 May 2023)

James Browne: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, I thank Senator Seery Kearney for raising this very important matter around safeguards and statutory provisions in respect of the oversight of cash-for-gold outlets. I assure the Senator that a number of key legislative provisions are in operation to militate against criminality in this regard. More generally, Irish law relating to the sale and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Cash-for-Gold Outlets (3 May 2023)

James Browne: I again thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I assure her a range of statutory provisions are in existence to combat crime in this sector. Officials from my Department remain involved in the metal theft forum, a collaborative working group between stakeholders and industry representatives to improve information sharing around the issue of metal theft. I hear the Senator's...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (3 May 2023)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 was published on 2 December 2022. The Bill sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland – and for a robust regulatory and licensing regime to regulate...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (3 May 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 281, 288 and 293 together. I can advise the Deputies that I established the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) on a non-statutory basis with representation from stakeholders, my Department and An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related...

Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (26 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I acknowledge that all the Deputies want to get to the same place, where we can seriously discourage hatred, where hate speech will not happen and where minorities will be protected. A lot of consideration was given to whether to use the motivation or demonstration approach, and the Oireachtas joint committee was clear it wanted to see the demonstration approach taken into account. It has...

Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (26 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. To add some context in my response to this amendment, I would like to briefly outline to the House the position that has been taken in the Bill with the adoption of what is commonly referred to as the demonstration test. A particularly robust process is followed to ensure that this legislation is as effective as is possible. Considerable...

Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (26 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for his contribution. He is correct that during the Committee Stage debate on this Bill, this matter was discussed. This same amendment was proposed to delete section 10 of the Bill, which creates an offence of preparing or possessing material likely to incite violence or hatred against persons on account of their protected characteristics. The Deputies have again...

Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (26 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I think it is clear that where an individual has prepared documents with the intention to incite violence against a group of persons, and the Garda manage to intervene to stop the publication just before it happens, for example, that the person should simply not be held in any way responsible for the preparation of what they have done would be inappropriate as well. I think that people would...

Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (26 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their proposed amendments. They propose removing the defence of a reasonable and genuine contribution to religious discourse and expanding on the provisions of section 11, which provide protection for freedom of expression, to include the right to express ideas that shock, offend or disturb. In this regard, the freedom to express and practice religion is protected...

Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (26 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I have set out my position clearly. I hear the Deputy's comments but, unfortunately, I am not in a position to agree.

Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (26 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their amendments, which I understand were discussed at length. I note the Deputy is withdrawing amendment No. 1. The Attorney General has further advised on rules about statutory interpretation. The Supreme Court has consistently held that statutory provisions should be given a construction that reflects the plain intention of the Oireachtas and that this should be...

Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages (26 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I accept the Deputy's bona fides in this. He is certainly not in any way trying to downplay what constitutes hatred. This comes from a European Council framework decision. They have set out the requirements to meet that framework decision. If we deviate from the wording used in the Bill, we will no longer be in compliance with the framework decision. For other reasons that I set out...