Results 2,681-2,700 of 4,873 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Water Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Government’s vision for water services, whether publicly supplied by Uisce Éireann or otherwise delivered under the rural water programme, is set out in the water services policy statement 2018 to 2025. It is based on the delivery and development of water services in line with the needs and expectations of citizens and users, in compliance with legal obligations, in a fair...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Primary Care Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, and accept the comments made by Deputies Collins, Smith and Ó Snodaigh regarding this important issue. We all agree that public health nurses play an extremely valuable role in the community healthcare system, providing an extensive range of services vital to local communities across the country, including in...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator has raised an important issue. The number of 28 estates in County Monaghan is significant. The Water Services Acts 2007 to 2020 set out the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Uisce Éireann and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements. Water and wastewater connection issues are a matter for...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (23 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The point the Senator raised regarding developer-led infrastructure is a useful one and we will relay it to Uisce Éireann. There is a separate scheme for developer-led infrastructure, but looking at trying to put a focused effort on that into the works programme for the coming years would be useful. Uisce Éireann has developed a site resolution plan with Monaghan County Council,...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators for their contributions. I welcome the guests to the Public Gallery and thank for their interaction in respect of this important Bill. Before I give the official response, a few points were raised by Senators Boyhan, Clonan and Higgins with regard to the protection of heritage. I will not go into the specifics of the McKee Barracks case. It is an issue. It is built...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator always speaks with great passion about these issues, and he is to be commended. What I have done by way of a response is to give assurance to the House, the Senator and those who are following this that the objectives in the Valletta Convention are being adhered to in the Bill. The protections to which the Senator has referred, in terms of archaeological heritage, will be given...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I come back in specifically on amendment No. 2, if it would be of use to Senators, we could circulate a document in tabular form outlining the measures in the Bill and how it adheres to the objectives in the Valletta Convention. It may be useful in light of the genuine concerns of Senators. We can prepare that and send it to Senators. I think that would be of help. Specifically...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I note the comments and some of the matters the Senator raised regarding cultural heritage, which we will address in the next amendments. While I am on my feet, I welcome members of the Galway Green Party to the Public Gallery.

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator Higgins for proposing these amendments.I take on board the spirit behind them and I appreciate the intangible aspect. In our interpretation of heritage it is important to give effect to that and to ensure we take account of collective memory - the Senator mentioned Traveller heritage - and human creativity. Acknowledging all that is something we do across our work in...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Many issues have been raised, particularly around oral heritage and oral traditions. There are many elements that are afforded support and protection in other ways, be it through local authorities, archivists and other mechanisms not specific to this Bill. What we are trying to protect in this Bill is a result of cultural heritage. It is a result of cultures creating these objects and...

Seanad: Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023: Report and Final Stages (22 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I appreciate what the Senator is saying.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree wholeheartedly. In preparation for today’s questions, I looked at the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, report into transport-orientated development and the need, throughout central and local government, to align it through the sustainable development goals, in particular those relating to sustainable cities and communities, the national planning framework and, as...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, I agree wholeheartedly. The Department has invested significant moneys from the URDF in the Opera site in Limerick. This is not just about the large urban centres; it is also about smaller urban centres. Road projects and, perhaps, unsustainable projects in some locations will need to be reconsidered. The NESC research is clear. It states that we must build on the vision set out...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Policy (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Housing for All is the Government's housing plan to 2030. The aim is to deliver an average of 33,000 new homes a year over the lifetime of this plan. Objective 26.1 is to "Establish a working group to consider opportunities for transport-led development in major urban centres" comprising membership from my Department, the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority and the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I appreciate the point the Deputy makes but the critical point is that the responsibility lies with individual local authorities. The schemes, supports and certainly the funding are in place but local authorities need to be proactive in this regard.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 wind energy development guidelines, which the Deputy referenced. The review is addressing a number of key aspects, including noise, set-back distance, shadow flicker, community obligation, community dividend and grid connections. I am aware there are a great many applications throughout the country. Guidance on the noise...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I stress that, whatever the project, be it a wind energy project or any development, it is critically important and there is a need for the proposers of a project to engage in a meaningful way. There is an obligation to do so under the public participation directive in the Aarhaus Convention. It is important to stress that it is no longer good enough just to drop leaflets in letterboxes....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Wind Energy Guidelines (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: While I will not go into the specifics of any application, the three Ministers here are in full agreement that it is unacceptable that there is this lack of engagement. It is critically important, and I will stress this again, that engagement is meaningful, timely, done at preplanning stage and in a way that is participative and inclusive. Any proposer of any project needs to adhere to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: Adult children living with their parents can apply for and be deemed to qualify for social housing support, subject to meeting the eligibility and need criteria set down in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated social housing assessment regulations. Once qualified, such applicants are automatically placed on the relevant local authority waiting list. They do not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (9 Mar 2023)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy. Again just to state, it is down to the constituent local authorities to deem the priorities for eligibility for social housing. They do that very effectively throughout the country, and that is critically important. The fact is adult children can be and are deemed to qualify for social housing support in the Deputy's county, County Louth. Some 355 households or 27% of...