Results 1,421-1,440 of 6,999 for speaker:James Browne

Services for those Seeking Protection in Ireland: Statements (30 Jan 2024)

James Browne: I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on immigration. While I recognise it can often cause concerns, particularly around housing and services, it is important we understand the overwhelming benefits inward migration brings. With an ageing population and an economy at almost full employment, we need overseas workers to fill labour shortages and continue to drive our economy. Some...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (30 Jan 2024)

James Browne: I welcome the opportunity to introduce the Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024. The Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024 is a necessary interim legislative amendment pending a broader review of the Coroners Act 1962 and it should be considered against the backdrop of a public consultation process which has recently been launched by the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee. The Coroner Service provides...

Seanad: Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (30 Jan 2024)

James Browne: On behalf the Minister, Deputy McEntee, who regrets she cannot be here in person today, I thank all the Senators who have contributed to this important debate on the Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024. There is general agreement that there needs to be reform, more efficiency and for the coroner to be more reflective of society and more comprehending of people who have to attend before them. I...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Policies (23 Jan 2024)

James Browne: As background, I established the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) with representation from firearms users, the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána, under an independent chairperson, to advise on a range of firearms matters. The Committee’s terms of reference were made publicly available. The FEC held nine in-person meetings, in addition to one videoconference...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (17 Jan 2024)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) are community based, multi-agency youth crime prevention initiatives which primarily seek to divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. Youth Diversion Projects are run by community-based organisations and are a vital support to the statutory Garda Youth...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Programme (17 Jan 2024)

James Browne: The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being from both an online and in person perspective. The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na héireann,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (17 Jan 2024)

James Browne: I strongly condemn any use of knives to threaten, intimidate or harm others. The Government, and I as Minister, are committed to ensuring that the problems that we have seen in neighbouring jurisdictions do not repeat themselves here. As the Deputy will be aware, 'knife crime' is a broad term, which has no official classification in crime statistics compiled by An Garda Síochána...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (17 Jan 2024)

James Browne: We are all sadly very conscious of the effect that knife crime can have on the quality of life for local communities and I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to supporting An Garda Síochána to tackle this issue. While I am conscious that Ireland has a comparatively low level of knife crime compared to neighbouring jurisdictions, every incident where a person is...

An Bille up an Daicheadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Cúram), 2023: An Dara Céim - Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

James Browne: The proposed fortieth amendment of the Constitution or care referendum will delete Article 41.2, removing outdated language on the role of women. It would also insert a new Article 42B to recognise the value of family care. The Irish Constitution is our foundational document. It holds a special place in the hearts and minds of Irish people. When the Constitution was adopted by the Irish...

An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (An Teaghlach), 2023: An Dara Céim - Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023: Second Stage (14 Dec 2023)

James Browne: Bunreacht na hÉireann is the bedrock body of law that governs our society. As such, it should reflect our values and be representative of our society. The provisions in the Constitution on the family are not a reflection of the broad range of families and compositions that make up families in daily Irish life. In recent years, we have amended our foundational document to reflect a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: As regards scramblers, that change in the legislation was a recommendation of a sub-committee of my antisocial behaviour forum. I am glad the legislation was passed and is now operational. The distribution of gardaí is an operational matter and for the Commissioner. I have no doubt he keeps Limerick very much to the fore, however.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and all gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda operating model that is currently being rolled out in all divisions and has been fully commenced in ten. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: As stated, the transfer and stationing of An Garda Síochána is an operational matter for the Commissioner, but I will bring the Deputy's concerns to him. On recruitment, An Garda Síochána has brought in important measures to comply with its language obligations. These include the introduction of an Irish language stream in the recruitment process, whereby 10% of all...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: As I said, it is an operational matter for the Commissioner, but I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Commissioner. The new Irish Language Strategy 2022-2025 establishes a pathway and puts in strong mechanisms to ensure we have members of An Garda Síochána and a situation where the Irish language gets the recognition it deserves within An Garda...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I am committed to supporting An Garda Síochána in achieving their objectives through recruitment, Irish language development, awareness, promotion and engagement. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of resources, including Garda members, to a given division, district or station. An...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities, and a strengthened, well-resourced An Garda Síochána is central to this policy. While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, we engage regularly with him to ensure our gardaí have the resources they need. The unprecedented allocation of in excess of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: While I have no direct role in the assignment of gardaí or any Garda resource, I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies, are continuously monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures the optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I acknowledge the courage and bravery of gardaí who faced those riots on that Thursday, including those from Dublin and those who came from further afield responding to the call to support the gardaí in Dublin, who faced those violent thugs who sought to take advantage of a very difficult and challenging situation. We all acknowledge the bravery and courage of those gardaí who...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: As I understand it, An Garda Síochána is always very conscious of victims of crime and works very carefully to keep families updated in relation to any investigations. There is strong ongoing co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI. The cross-Border joint agency task force was established under a 2015 fresh start agreement...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: An Garda Síochána (12 Dec 2023)

James Browne: I do not have an answer to hand on Schedule 3 but I will get the answer relayed to the Deputy. With regard to unresolved cases I assure the Deputy that on Troubles-related matters, there is significant co-operation between Ireland and United Kingdom. In certain circumstances where cases have not been resolved the investigations remain open and An Garda Síochána follow up fully on...