Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat a Aire, a Chathaoirligh agus an choiste. I, too, welcome the opportunity to discuss with the committee the Estimates for 2023 in the areas of heritage, electoral reform and the water and marine environment.

I will first discuss the heritage side of my brief. Central to what we do in the Department are the National Monuments Service, the built heritage programmes and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS. They are extraordinary teams who do incredible work the length and breadth of the country. They deliver for the citizen directly, and through the agencies and bodies under our aegis, namely, the Heritage Council, Waterways Ireland and the Irish Heritage Trust. Funding for heritage and nature programmes has increased by €40 million, or 22.6%, in 2023.

Last year, I secured Government agreement to establish the National Parks and Wildlife Service as an executive agency within the Department. Furthermore, I got a commitment to provide an additional €55 million over three budgetary cycles to fund and drive a programme of renewal for the agency. I am delighted to say the agency is now established, the action plan for its renewal is ahead of schedule and the first tranche of that renewal resource was secured for 2023.

I am also delighted that in 2023 I have been able to secure additional resources to continue the superb work of the Heritage Council, the Heritage Trust and Waterways Ireland. For Waterways Ireland, in particular, the commencement of work on phase 2 of the Ulster Canal is a huge milestone. I look forward to its completion in 2023.

Additional capital resources for 2023 will allow support for hundreds of built and archaeological heritage restoration and protection projects throughout the country. These are the projects which animate our towns and villages that dot the countryside while telling the narrative of past generations. I am delighted to maintain the upward trajectory of our investment programme.

Regarding electoral reform, I acknowledge the ambitious reform programme set out in the programme for Government, Our Shared Future. To this end, I am very pleased to have delivered its legislative elements with the Electoral Reform Act, having been enacted in July, and to have progressed our two flagship initiatives, namely, the establishment of our independent Electoral Commission, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, and the modernisation of the electoral registration process.

As mentioned by the Minister, the Electoral Reform Act 2022 provided for the establishment of an independent statutory electoral commission. I am pleased to say that An Coimisiún Toghcháin was formally established on 9 February. The budget for an coimisiún in 2023 is €5.7 million. This funding will provide a strong base for it in its first year of operation as it builds capacity and expertise.

I thank the Chair and members for giving their time this afternoon. The Minister, Minister of State and I look forward to answering any questions.