Results 1,921-1,940 of 7,178 for speaker:James Browne

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I am glad to speak in favour of the Government's motion of confidence. We are here because of the Labour Party's motion of no confidence. It is notable that only two Deputies were here for the start of the debate. That sends out a clear message as to whether this is serious or simple gamesmanship. It was a bizarre situation. One Deputy complained about the Taoiseach's speech, but he was...

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: Let us remind the people of why the Labour Party went from 37 Deputies to only seven in one election cycle. It started with then leader throwing out the word "treason" in a heated situation, playing on people's anxieties and fears and manipulating them at that time. I remember canvassing in Wexford town. My canvassers were young women in their 20s and 30s.

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: They knocked on doors and Labour Party supporters, taking their cue from the then leader, gave abuse to young women at the doors. It was not supporters of Sinn Féin, Independents or Fine Gael; it was Labour Party supporters-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: -----taking their cue and giving abuse to young women at the doors. It was not Sinn Féin supporters, Independents or Fine Gael; it was Labour Party supporters taking their cue. Does that remind the party of the campaign slogan "Frankfurt's Way or Labour's Way"? Does it remind the party of the slogan "Every Little Hurts" and promises on student fees and protecting the vulnerable, and...

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: When it got into government it broke all of its promises. There were water charges and the housing assistance payment, HAP, and it invited in vulture funds. That is what it did. That is its record. The party can either argue whether those decisions were right, but it brought them in.

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: What did it do and where did it get?

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: It was warned about an impending crisis in housing supply, but disparaged the people who warned it.

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: Where did it end up? There were 75 social houses. The party turned off the tap for housing and broke the pipe.

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: It had choices to make, and it made them at the time.

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: We have turned the corner. There will be 30,000 new homes, the first affordable homes in a generation and more social housing.

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: The Labour Party should own up. Its vote collapsed not because it made tough decisions but because it broke its moral contract with the people.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: As the Deputy may be aware, the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) was established in June 2022 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Control of Firearms (29 Mar 2023)

James Browne: The Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) was established 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 terms of reference, which were...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: Amendment No. 1 is a Government amendment and proposes changes to be made to the Long Title of the Bill. The amendment is a technical amendment for the purpose of inserting two commas on either side of the phrase "by the Commission" where it appears in line 13 of page 5. The amendment was one of amendments to the Long Title suggested by Senator Ward on Committee Stage. I have asked my...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: Amendment No. 2 relates to the Long Title of the Bill, which gives a synopsis of what the Bill proposes to do and the legislation it proposes to amend. The amendment provides for the deletion of an element of the Long Title referring to the recommendation of the Group of States against Corruption, GRECO, of the European Council on the system of selection, recommendation and promotion of...

Seanad: Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022: Report Stage (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: Amendment No. 4 is grouped with amendment No. 16. Amendment No. 4 seeks to amend section 9 by replacing it. Section 9 provides for the membership of the commission and 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 and judicial members, four of each. The judicial membership comprises the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Bodies (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I can advise the Deputy, the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) was made up of five members: an independent Chairperson, a representative of An Garda Síochána, a representative of the Department of Justice, and two non-governmental Ordinary Members having experience of firearms. This structure was chosen to give balanced representation to both governmental and non-governmental...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Meetings (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: I propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 565, 567, 568, 589, 591 and 602 together. I can advise the Deputies that the final meeting of the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) took place on 3 March 2023, and that the Committee has now finalised its reports. I understand that the reports will be submitted to me imminently and it is my intention to publish them shortly after this, along with the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: State Bodies (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: The Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) was established to serve in an advisory capacity on firearms matters. Its terms of reference, which are publicly available, include to carry out an assessment of all types of firearms, to determine their current use under the existing licensing system and their suitability for future licensing. I can advise the Deputy, the FEC was made up of five...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (28 Mar 2023)

James Browne: The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to reform gambling legislation, with a focus on public safety and well-being. The legislative reform will cover gambling online and in person, and include powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps. As the Deputy will be aware, the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 was approved by Government on the 15th November 2022....