Results 1,701-1,720 of 6,999 for speaker:James Browne

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (25 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 396, 397, 400, 426, 429 and 430 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Data (25 Apr 2023)

James Browne: The Deputy will wish to be aware that, while he requested the number of firearms offences within the Dublin Metropolitan Area over the past five years, broken down by district, An Garda Síochána advised that a breakdown of incidents by Division yielded numerous data points below the reporting threshold, and as such would have been of questionable utility. In order to be of...

Organised Crime: Statements (20 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I am grateful for the invitation to inform the House of the legislative and policy developments to tackle gangland crime and alleviate the impacts such crime is having on our communities. I acknowledge An Garda Síochána which is doing extremely effective work in cracking down on gangland crime in its relentless bid to tackle these gangs at the top of the criminal world in Ireland...

Courts Bill 2023: Second Stage (19 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank all of the Deputies who contributed to the debate today. This is a short and technical Bill. Its objective is to provide a continuing basis for an effective courts system, which is of central importance to our society and economy. The Minister is committed to improving access to justice for all of our citizens. It is important that our courts are properly resourced to deliver...

Courts Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee (19 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Justice pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.

Courts Bill 2023: Second Stage (19 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to present to the House the Courts Bill 2023. This is a short and technical Bill consisting of amendments to existing legislation for the purpose of increasing the statutory maximum prescribed number of judges of the District, Circuit and High Courts and of the Court of Appeal. The background to this Bill is the report...

European Union Directive: Motion (19 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I thank the House for facilitating this motion today. Over the years Ireland has implemented strong measures to ensure we can fight this complex crime. More must be done if we are to reduce the demand that fosters trafficking; to create a criminal model to halt victims' exploitation; to protect, support and empower the victims, especially women...

European Union Directive: Motion (19 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...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy. There is record funding of €2.14 billion for the Garda in budget 2023, which is an increase of €586 million or 38% since 2016. That is a very significant increase. That funding is going towards the recruitment of additional gardaí and the provision of resources, including equipment and vehicles. That is important for the Garda. As of 31 March,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Work Permits (18 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for her comments on the officials in the Department. This is a scheme that is constantly kept under review. Last year there was reform relating to those working in the sea fisheries sector as it moved over to the current system. The atypical working scheme unit within my Department has developed sector-specific training material to reduce the number of incomplete...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Work Permits (18 Apr 2023)

James Browne: The Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the necessary resources for the entire country. Budget 2023 provides funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána. This is an increase of 38% since 2016. There is a planned recruitment of up to 1,000 additional gardaí this year. I am informed there will be 400 Garda staff as well, which will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank Deputy Tully for this very important question on the number of gardaí in the Cavan-Monaghan division. The Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has all the necessary resources it needs to deliver a very modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provided funding of €2.14 billion for An Garda Síochána. In total since 2016,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: An Garda Síochána (18 Apr 2023)

James Browne: There can be all sorts of reasons for gardaí retiring earlier. We are in an exceptionally tight labour market at the moment. An Garda Síochána intends to start carrying out exit assessments to determine why individual gardaí may be leaving. The actual number compared with the overall force is still quite low. On the Cavan-Monaghan area, I assure the Deputy that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Work Permits (18 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. My Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment work closely together to ensure the arrangements in place to facilitate legal migration to Ireland for employment purposes are efficient, fair and responsive to the needs of our economy and society. The atypical working scheme is one element of these arrangements and...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I have given my position on the matter.

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

James Browne: Section 9 deals with the membership of the judicial appointments commission and it provides, in line with the Government programme, that the commission will be chaired by the Chief Justice. It provides for an equal number of lay members - four - and judicial members - four. Judicial membership comprises the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal and two nominees of the Judicial...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank Senator Flynn. Amendment No. 8 relates to section 9 of the Bill, which deals with the membership of the judicial appointments commission. Amendment No. 8 proposes that one of the lay members of the commission shall be nominated for appointment by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, IHREC. In drafting the Bill, the Minister has carefully considered the most equitable...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Senators. Amendments Nos. 11, 29, and 30 are being taken together. I will deal with amendment No. 29 first. Section 63 provides for the amendment of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961, including the insertion of a new section 45A, to provide for the qualification of certain legal academics for judicial office as an additional basis for qualification. The new section...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Immigration Policy (18 Apr 2023)

James Browne: Generally speaking, the pathway to citizenship is clear and is set out in legislation. There was a cut-off point but it was acknowledged internationally that our cut-off point for the regularisation scheme was quite generous. It was for the long-term undocumented, but we kept it down to quite a short period for people to qualify. There will always be people, unfortunately, who just miss...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Immigration Policy (18 Apr 2023)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for tabling this very important question respect of the regularisation of the long-term undocumented migrants scheme. I am pleased to be able to advise the Deputy that 76% of all applications under this extremely successful and impactful scheme have been processed since it opened in the past year, with 89% of all decisions to date being positive ones. As the Deputy is...