Results 1,481-1,500 of 7,003 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gambling Sector (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: he 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, the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: I thank members for making time available to consider the Supplementary Estimates for the Garda and prisons Votes and technical Supplementary Estimates for the courts and justice Votes. I am joined by the following officials from my Department, Ms Yvonne Furey, assistant secretary, and Mr. Aonghus O'Connor, principal officer. I start by saying how disturbed and shocked I was by the...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: The new recruitment campaign for the Garda Reserve will commence at Easter 2024. Unfortunately, we had to pause recruitment for the Garda during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic. The priority last year was to get the recruitment campaign for new members of the Garda up and running and to create momentum behind that campaign. While we will continue with recruitment for the Garda next...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: The most recent intake was in 2017.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: Garda reservists have a hugely important role to play. I look forward to the beginning of that recruitment campaign. We will see a significant increase in the numbers of the Garda Reserve. A timely review was needed and has been carried out in respect of how the whole reserve system was working. The Garda Commissioner carried out that review and we are now in a position to commence...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: It was a full review of the entire reserve system, which was important to establish the entire strategy for the foreseeable future. That review was published in October 2021. As I said, the priority for 2022 and 2023 was, first and foremost, to recruit for the Garda before moving to address the Garda Reserve situation. Next year will see a significant increase in the numbers of gardaí...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: The college was closed to new recruits during the Covid period. That would have been in line with health advice as a lot of very difficult decisions were made during that Covid period.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: It closed to new recruits.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: I cannot attest to the knowledge of another individual. What I can say, in relation to recruitment, is that 135 trainees entered the training college in February, 154 entered in May, 174 entered in July and another 177 entered the college in October, the largest intake since Covid. Another class is due to enter Templemore on 27 December, which will put us on track to have between 700 and...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: I certainly see a greater role for probation services, and the restorative justice elements will be a huge part of that over the coming years. I have looked at and commented on the Cornmarket Project in Wexford. There is also a project in Athy. There seem to be a number of pilot projects around restorative justice that were started back in the 1990s that perhaps were not expanded. Maybe...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy. It is certainly acknowledged that we need more members of the Garda. That is why a significant recruitment campaign is ongoing. There has been a significant increase in the number of prospective gardaí going through training in the Garda College in Templemore. There will be further funding for more gardaí next year so we can increase their visibility and have...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: With regard to Hammond Lane, I have practised family law and know that family courts are absolutely essential. The most recent update is that the current timescale envisages project delivery during the latter part of the national development plan. That is as specific as I can be.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Justice (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: I can get the Deputy a note on the civil legal aid scheme. It is being reformed but I do not have a note to hand because it is not directly affected by this. However, I do agree with the Deputy that we have constitutional duties in respect of criminal legal aid and providing people with justice and the best defence possible. The very nature of a common law system is that people have...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (28 Nov 2023)

James Browne: I thank the committee. This is very important legislation that will criminalise those who engage children in criminal activity. While currently if you get a child to carry out a criminal act, you can be charged with that offence, this Bill marks out the very particular harm done to a child when he or she is engaged in criminal activity, separate from the offence he or she was groomed into...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: An Garda Síochána (22 Nov 2023)

James Browne: 70. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a tender process for a project (details supplied) has commenced; if so, its expected date of completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51300/23]

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (21 Nov 2023)

James Browne: These amendments are to ensure consistency in language in the Bill with others in the Statute Book. This change does not impact the Garda Commissioner's ability to vet persons in these categories. It remains open to the Garda Commissioner to do so to ensure the person is of good character.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (21 Nov 2023)

James Browne: The purpose of amendments Nos. 79 and 80 is to ensure consistency throughout the Bill. They are minor technical amendments to Part 7 to ensure the installation or operation, or both, of CCTV in Garda premises are necessary and proportionate, having regard to the purposes outlined in the Part, namely the safeguarding of persons or property in or around the premises and the prevention,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (21 Nov 2023)

James Browne: As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). As Minister I have no role in these independent functions. I understand that the Deputy is seeking the allocation to the Garda Youth Diversion Bureau (GYDB), which has responsibility for overseeing and...

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages [Resumed] (15 Nov 2023)

James Browne: This grouping consists of technical amendments.

Seanad: Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages [Resumed] (15 Nov 2023)

James Browne: These are minor technical drafting amendments to delete the word "threatens" as the legal advice is that this is covered by the word "coerces" in sections 12, 21, 24, 35, 42 and 46. Similarly, amendments Nos. 16, 35, 39, 73, 76 and 82 are minor technical drafting amendments to sections 12, 21, 24, 35, 42 and 46 to ensure it is clear that it is an offence to induce, coerce or request without...