Results 1,681-1,700 of 6,999 for speaker:James Browne

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...

Seanad: EU Regulations: Motion (26 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I seek Seanad approval to opt into a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and European Council on the collection and transfer of advance passenger information, API, for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime. This proposed regulation as it relates to law enforcement, is a key part of co-operation with other member...

Seanad: EU Regulations: Motion (26 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank Senators for their contributions. I will begin by responding to Senator Gallagher's point about Ireland and the United Kingdom. While Ireland does not currently collect API data for flights from the United Kingdom, UK flights came within the scope of the 2011 API regulations from January 2021, when the UK became a third country. The 2011 regulations provide that the Minister "may"...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (26 Apr 2023)

James Browne: As the Deputy is aware, the 1983 Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons provides the current mechanism through which a person may seek a transfer of their prison sentence between Ireland and the UK. The legislative basis for these transfers is the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Act 1995 (as amended). I am advised by officials in the Irish Prison Service, who are the competent body...

EU Regulation on Collection and Transfer of Advance Passenger Information: Motion (25 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I agree with Deputy Daly. The regulation is proportionate. There are essential safeguards in place. I agree that we have to ensure there is no over-reach but I think there are sufficient safeguards in place in that regard. I welcome the support for the opt-in. On the matters raised by Deputy Howlin, it is a comprehensive list and any...

EU Regulation on Collection and Transfer of Advance Passenger Information: Motion (25 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Grant Payments (25 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for raising the community supports rebate and for tabling this very important Commencement matter. As he will be aware, the Department of Justice provides funding to Muintir na Tíre to cover the costs incurred by communities in administering the text alert scheme. The scheme is administered on a refund basis whereby communities submit their annual costs to Muintir...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Grant Payments (25 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I acknowledge the importance of these groups to our communities and I acknowledge the hard work done by the Senator on this matter. I also acknowledge the financial pressures there can be on local community groups, particularly in respect of the length of time between incurring the cost and the rebate issuing. The system has been in place for some time. As I said, a review has been carried...