Results 3,501-3,520 of 4,873 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The lines in the legislation are prescriptive. As I stated, once the commission is established, it will have an ability to carry out the research described by the Deputy.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 14: In page 17, line 37, to delete “entitled under” and substitute “is entitled under”.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Before I go to my speaking notes, I will reflect on some of the contributions from members. I thank Deputies O'Callaghan and Nash for bringing forward these amendments. Deputy Flaherty made points about local elections with which I agree wholeheartedly. A considerable amount of work is required in that regard. He is correct to say the commission is going to be burdened with a considerable...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Bill is prescriptive.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: That is an interesting point. I have come across that research and I think it bears out the fact that, perhaps, there is no significant advantage to being named higher up on the ballot paper. It raises other issues relating to counting votes under our proportional representation system and it could make that challenging. There may also be accessibility issues with the templates used for...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The term "where practicable" is important. Significantly, what we have done over the past number of the years, through great work here with the returning officers, is to ensure that we are reducing the level of inaccessibility. I gave the statistics. That is something. We have worked well with the disability organisations to ensure that accessibility issue is addressed. Significant...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Generally, all count centres would be. The issues would be brought back to us by the disability organisations following electoral events. In general, the feedback is quite good.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: Absolutely.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputies for the quality of the amendments in general today. They are very good and have sparked continuing debate about the commission and the legislation. There is the point around unintentionally spoiled votes and voters voting all the way down a ballot paper. It is not just a commitment from me or the Minister; it will be the commitment of the commission, which will have...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I move amendment No. 53: In page 49, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following: “Amendment of Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 77.Schedule 13 to the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 is amended by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph 206: “207. The Electoral Commission.”.”. This amendment adds the electoral commission to the list of...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with trying to reduce barriers. Many homeless people I meet are very politically engaged, not only by virtue of their circumstances, and very well-educated and well-read people who are very engaged in our political system and the future of our country. We all want to ensure they can participate fully in that. Perhaps my speaking notes might have something of a stifling effect, as...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with everything that has been said. It is not the intention to be discriminatory. What we are trying to do, and we are making genuine strides here, is to ensure our electoral register is robust and that our electoral system is open to and inclusive of all. That is why we introduced this innovate and novel aspect in the Bill. It is not intended to be discriminatory. It is a new...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: As I stated, it is important that the commission is established and we then build its function up and give consideration to issues such as this in time. From our perspective, the critical part now is to get the commission established and then look at these other elements in time. I have just given a commitment in that regard.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputies McAuliffe and Flaherty for not pressing this amendment. Section 14 empowers the commission to establish committees to advise and assist it in the performance of its functions. Such committees may include persons who are not members of the commission or its staff. This provides an avenue for bringing in external skills where required. Being mindful of the commission's...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Electoral Reform Bill 2022: Committee Stage (31 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: First, and importantly, we have already outlined that the commission will be tasked with reviewing electoral events and what is working and what has not worked well in electoral events. That is significant. Second, there is the fact that this committee will continue to have a role in the research and advocacy function of the commission in respect of recommendations and the reports that will...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (26 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: 354. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the number of young people who have been and continue to be adversely affected by long-Covid here; his views on same; the steps that he will take to care for these young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27036/22]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Animal Welfare (26 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Irish Hare is protected under the Irish Wildlife Acts and is also listed on Annex V of EU Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive). This listing requires member states to manage the species’ sustainably. The Habitats Directive also requires Ireland to make a detailed report every six years on the conservation status of all listed species, including the Irish hare. ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (26 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The primary role of my Department in electoral matters is to provide an appropriate policy and legislative framework for a modern and efficient electoral system. Within that framework, Returning Officers are responsible for all matters in connection with the actual conduct of elections and referendums, including the operation of postal voting arrangements.  Part IV of the Second...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wildlife Protection (25 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for her Commencement matter. It is always good to talk about biodiversity in the Seanad even if it is a negative issue. It is important to highlight important points, particularly the poisoning of raptors. I take on board the specific points she made about testing and a public awareness campaign, which I will address in a follow-up response. Ireland is home to more...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Wildlife Protection (25 May 2022)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator's idea to have a public awareness campaign is a good one. I must advise that any such campaign would need to be led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Senator mentioned that these toxins are available on the shelves of garden centres and other stores. Another issue is the storage of carbofuran and other toxins that have been banned because they may still...