Results 181-200 of 6,140 for speaker:James Browne

Seanad: Criminal Offences (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (26 Jun 2024)

James Browne: The grouped amendments are technical amendments to the Bill that substitute the words "relevant" and "vulnerable" in a number of places. "Vulnerable person" was defined in the Bill as a person with capacity issues; however, "position of vulnerability" is also used in the legislation in relation to a trafficked person. Vulnerability in the latter context is interpreted more broadly and can...

Seanad: Criminal Offences (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (26 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Senator for putting down this amendment. This section of the legislation provides that a person may apply to be recognised as a victim of human trafficking by making an application under the national referral mechanism. I assure Senator Keogan that this Bill and the existing human trafficking legislation are in line with the EU directive on preventing and combating...

Seanad: Criminal Offences (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (26 Jun 2024)

James Browne: On the US Trafficking in Persons report, human trafficking, as I have said, is an exploitative and a particularly heinous crime that preys on some of the most vulnerable people. There is no question that combating it is an absolute priority for this Government. While acknowledging the lead taken by the US in producing this report, I regret that recent progress we have made has not merited...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Priorities (26 Jun 2024)

James Browne: Dog theft is a serious crime and that can come with prison sentences of up to ten years for theft and for handling of stolen property and up to five years for possession of stolen property. If a burglary is involved, the sentence may be up to 14 years imprisonment. When imposing sentences, judges are not limited to considering the monetary value of a pet. The sentimental value and the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (26 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information has not been received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.

Seanad: Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Second Stage (25 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Acting Chair and welcome the opportunity to introduce the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024. This Bill introduces a number of very important reforms in the law across a broad range of areas. These amendments reach across many aspects of people's lives and have the potential to make a real difference. They include increasing...

Seanad: Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024: Second Stage (25 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Senators who contributed to the debate. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, and I have noted the points made. It is very evident that we need to proceed quickly with the enactment of the Bill. As I highlighted at the outset, the discussion on this Bill cuts across a number of areas of society and will have a real impact on people's lives. At this point, it is useful to consider...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (25 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I thank the House for taking these two motions today. The two motions seek the approval of the Seanad to continue in force provisions in the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 aimed at combating terrorism and organised crime. Given the nature of these important provisions, the Houses of the Oireachtas have decided that they should...

Seanad: Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009: Motions (25 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I am grateful to the House for its consideration on these important motions today. I thank all the Senators for their contributions, particularly those in support of the motions. As I have said, terrorist groups remain a threat to the people on this island. They are opposed to the benefits that have flowed from the peace process and are determined to undermine it. The State must retain...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (20 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for this question. The antisocial behaviour forum that I established in the Department of Justice is considering such behaviour within housing estates and how we can strengthen laws around that core issue.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Traffic Fines (20 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I acknowledged in my initial reply that the current process is cumbersome and takes up considerable court time. A review is being carried out as to how that can be streamlined to ensure that the process is much more straightforward and to reduce the opportunities for kicking the can down the road. We want to ensure people pay these fines and are not wasting court time. I am very much in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Traffic Fines (20 Jun 2024)

James Browne: Dealing with fines is always a matter for the courts.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Traffic Fines (20 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue around the amount of unpaid court-imposed fines in 2023. It is important to note that the principal penalty applied under the Road Traffic Act is a Garda fixed charge notice, FCN, combined with the imposition of penalty points. These measures provide an effective and appropriate enforcement response aimed at encouraging responsible driver behaviour...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Traffic Fines (20 Jun 2024)

James Browne: The outstanding amount was the amount at the time the figure was obtained. In that, there are people who were fined recently, with an expectation that they will pay. Fines are generally imposed in the District Court for minor offences. However, a small number of fines are also imposed in the higher courts. Once imposed, the Courts Service starts a process of communicating with the person...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Restorative Justice (20 Jun 2024)

James Browne: The Probation Service will soon publish a three-year restorative justice action plan aimed at promoting greater awareness and supporting increased use right across the system. This plan will detail how the Probation Service will further drive the integration of restorative justice into all its services. Restorative justice is really important. We did some very good work back in the 1990s...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Restorative Justice (20 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I agree with the Deputy that restorative justice has huge potential. There are three elements needed, namely, the community, the victim and the offender. For the victim it can have quite a cathartic effect when it is handled right. The Deputy understands restorative justice needs to be handled very carefully. The offender has to be willing and understand and face up to their offence. The...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Restorative Justice (20 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I thank the Deputy for raising the important issue of restorative justice initiatives. As he will be aware, restorative justice is a process that evidence shows can support victims to recover from the impact of crime as well as serving to reduce reoffending. It is an integral part of the work of the Probation Service, which established a restorative justice and victim services unit in 2018....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (20 Jun 2024)

James Browne: The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for this year, a 25% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff. While...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Restorative Justice (20 Jun 2024)

James Browne: Restorative justice is a process that evidence shows can support victims to recover from the impact of crime as well as serving to reduce reoffending. It is an integral part of the work of the Probation Service which established a Restorative Justice and Victim Services Unit in 2018. The process helps to identify and repair some of the harm caused by offending. Its value was recognised in the...

Seanad: International Protection, Asylum and Migration: Motion (19 Jun 2024)

James Browne: I will begin by stressing the benefits of migration to Ireland. At present, just under 500,000 people in our labour force were born outside of Ireland. We would face significant challenges in many areas of our economy without migration. I also highlight that Ireland benefits immensely from membership of the European Union. A combination of factors, such as our highly educated workforce...