Results 3,441-3,460 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Topical Issue Debate: Pigmeat Sector (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: To address the specific issue of the IFA's proposal for a pig stability fund, this is being considered by the Department in conjunction with key stakeholders. It is being requested that a €100 million fund be made available to pig farmers by the Department, with €50 million to be repaid over a 14-year term through a statutory levy on pigs slaughtered or exported live. This...

Topical Issue Debate: Fire Safety (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I assure the Deputy and the House of this Government's commitment in respect of the important policy area of building defects, which is reflected both in the programme for Government and in Housing for All. This Government is committed to dealing with the issue of defects in housing. In this regard, we will continue to drive regulation in the construction sector and more sustainable methods...

Topical Issue Debate: Pigmeat Sector (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, I thank Deputy Smith for raising this issue. It is agreed that it is a key priority for the Minister and the Department and a vital sector for the Irish economy. Our pig farmers have always been remarkably resilient but the Minister is acutely aware of the unprecedented set of challenges, as outlined by the Deputy, they are facing at present....

Topical Issue Debate: Fire Safety (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I offer the Acting Chairman best wishes with her chairmanship. Well done. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an t-ábhar seo a ardú. I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for raising this issue. I acknowledge the difficulties the residents of the Metropolitan apartment complex are facing and the stress that is caused when fire safety issues arise in regard to their...

Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Referral to Select Committee (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I have a lot to learn too. It is certainly appropriate that Deputy Durkan made the last contribution of the very important contributions this afternoon and in the last session. I will address a number of the points made and will then make a closing speech. Deputy Connolly referred to the importance of data protection and acknowledged that data protection must be given the highest...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as ucht an t-ábhar seo a ardú inniu. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Education, Deputy Madigan. The Senator has raised a number of questions. I wholeheartedly agree with him regarding the value of Gaelscoileanna. My children are being educated in Gaelscoil Osraí in Kilkenny, which...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I assure the Senator that the thrust of the response the Minister of State has provided is that she wants to ensure the provision of additional resources to students with special educational needs extends to Gaelscoileanna in an equitable way. I will discuss with her the additional resources he is requesting, as I am sure he also will do. The Senator also raised the issue of capital...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Network (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis on Seanadóir as ucht an cheist seo a ardú. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan. The Senator made a good case for small enterprises in County Monaghan. Such SMEs are just as critical to our economy as the multinationals. They provide employment for small numbers of people - five...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Network (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I will speak to the Minister about that. It would be useful for him to see the situation at first hand. The LIS is a useful scheme but, as I have seen across the country, including in my own county, it is virtually impossible to clear the backlog.It is huge. However, the point is well made that it is supporting many small enterprises in rural areas that are critically important to the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bord na Móna (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: It is good to get a question relating to my Department. I will set out the vision of Ireland's national peatlands strategy, which is "to provide a long-term framework within which all of the peatlands within the State can be managed responsibly in order to optimise their social, environmental and economic contribution to the well-being of this and future generations". The strategy sets out...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Bord na Móna (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I reassure the Senator that any proposed development on peatlands would be subject to a planning process and environmental assessment, as I noted in my opening statement. This is a matter for Bord na Móna, which is a semi-State company. Our involvement is through the national peatlands strategy. The ultimate goal of the National Parks and Wildlife Service is to achieve the maximum...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rental Sector (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I join the Acting Chairman in welcoming our guests from St. Joseph's College, Lucan. It is important that young people get to see our democracy in action. I thank them for being with us. The RTB was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 to 2021 to operate a national tenancy registration system and facilitate the resolution of disputes...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rental Sector (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The figures the Senator is seeking would be useful. I can go back to the Department and look for them. I am sure all those data and figures are available and that they would be useful to Members. I will ask the Department to provide them via the RTB, which might be useful. The additional resources that have been provided, given the enhanced functions of the RTB, are substantial. It may...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Parks (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Like the Senator, I was in the Phoenix Park for the visit of the Pope in 1979 and still have fond memories of it. The Senator has outlined the challenges facing this hugely popular resource for the people of Dublin. It is one of the largest public parks in Europe, as far as I am aware. It is important that the park should be a living, breathing space for everyone, and for all other...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Parks (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I again welcome the visitors in the public gallery. I did not respond to the issue the Senator raised around the shuttle bus. We have implemented similar schemes in Glenveagh National Park, and we are looking at this because there are increased visitor numbers across our parks. The National Transport Authority is reviewing bus options for a pilot bus route linking the Phoenix Park to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: No.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Heritage Sites (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: She is. I think we have the Minister of State with responsibility for this matter in the Chamber.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Government is committed to a significant investment in, and a renewal of, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) as set out in the Programme for Government. I am pleased to say that the review which will underpin this renewal has been concluded by the independent authors, and the resulting Strategic Action Plan for renewal of the NPWS has been completed. This has been a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Funding (7 Apr 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The project referred to in the Question is a significant one and comprises three phases. Phase 1 was completed in late 2019 and the expenditure on this phase was €3,200,000 between 2015 and 2019. Delivery of Phase 2 involves total funding of c. €12,200,000 over a number of years. Expenditure for 2021 stood at €400,000. Funding allocated in 2022 is €6,000,000, with...