Results 1,661-1,680 of 7,178 for speaker:James Browne

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...

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

James Browne: There may be some confusion over what focused monitoring is and what An Garda Síochána can do to monitor movement of vehicles using automatic number plate recognition. To start, ANPR is already widely used by An Garda Síochána for roads policing and this Bill will not change that. The provisions of this section and section 19 are expanding Garda use of ANPR to include...

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

James Browne: On amendments Nos. 24 and 25, in the section as it stands, this is already achieved. Internal approval for focused monitoring can be varied but the duration of the approval cannot exceed three months, as set out in section 18(3)(a), to which section 18(5) is subject. I direct the Senators to page 14, line 15, where it states that a member of An Garda Síochána may: "vary, subject...

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

James Browne: It will be a matter for the Garda Commissioner to specify whether the technical and software specifications are included in the application process. I direct the Senator to sections 27(2)(d) and 28(2)(e) of the Bill. Further details of the requirements for community CCTV will be published in a code of practice for both Garda and local authority schemes. I would highlight to Senators Ruane...

Imposing Sanctions on Israel: Motion [Private Members] (15 Nov 2023)

James Browne: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all the words after “That Dáil Éireann” and to replace with the following: "expresses its deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the death of an estimated 11,000 people, including 5,000 children, over 100 United Nations (UN) workers and 39 journalists; and at the damage and destruction of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Flood Risk Management (15 Nov 2023)

James Browne: It is open to Cork County Council to apply for funding under the OPW minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme to provide mitigation measures for Castlemartyr ahead of the main scheme. Under this scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000. Funding from the OPW is up to 90% of the cost of available approved...