Results 4,141-4,160 of 4,873 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Citizens' Assembly (6 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The convening of a Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity is under discussion at a senior level between the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department. The timing and scheduling of the Assembly will depend on the outcome of these discussions and on a number of external factors which need to be considered before the scope and terms of the Assembly are framed.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (6 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Under electoral law, Returning Officers are responsible for the selection and provision of polling stations at polling places. Section 94 of the Electoral Act 1992, as amended by section 3 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1996, provides that Returning Officers must, where practicable, select buildings for polling stations which are accessible to wheelchair users. A Working Group on...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wildlife Protection (5 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Both species of seal in Irish waters - the Harbour or Common Seal and the more numerous Grey Seal - are protected under the EU Habitats Directive and Ireland is obliged to maintain their populations at favourable conservation status. We are also required to monitor these species and report to the European Commission on their conservation status. A standardised monitoring programme has been...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (5 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Ireland, like all Member States, is bound by the requirements of the EU Nature Directives which aim to ensure the protection of habitats and species within Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and special protection areas (SPAs). My Department writes to all identified land owners with a legal interest in a site, outlining the intention to designate the site, the appeals process that can...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Waterways Issues (5 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The number of boats that were removed by Waterways Ireland from the waterways under its jurisdiction in each of the years 2016 to 2020 inclusive, is set out in the table below. Year Canals Shannon & Shannon Erne Waterway 2016 7 0 2017 0 0 2018 17 15 ...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Electoral Process (5 Oct 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Under Part II of the Electoral Act 1992, every person is entitled to be entered on the register of electors if that person: - has reached the age of 18 years, and - is ordinarily resident in a constituency in the State. Subject to the age and residency requirements, a registered elector’s citizenship then determines the polls at which he or she is entitled to vote. Irish citizens...

Seanad: Housing For All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland: Statements (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Seanadóirí go léir. I have taken note of their comments. We are deeply grateful to all the officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage who did such incredible work on this. There has been a high level of dedication to Housing for All, led by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. The Department has a Fianna Fáil...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I established the working group referred to by the Deputy, under independent chairman Dr. Munoo Prasad, to examine important issues which had been identified during the Review of the use of Peat in the Horticultural Industry.  The working group is comprised of representatives of the relevant Government Departments, State Bodies and Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Surveys (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together. Following the standard public procurement process, my Department issued a contract to an experienced and expert company to lead on the Irish survey work. The network of my Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) conservation rangers has also undertaken a significant amount of the survey work which has helped keep...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Health and Safety (29 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My officials are in the process of assessing the recommendations of the first interim report of the Consultative Committee, which undertook a review of the issues relating to the impact of gulls in urban areas.  This assessment will inform the resourcing and other implications (including  legal) required to implement the recommendations, where appropriate. This work is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Deputy Murnane O'Connor joined the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and I at the opening of three wonderful housing projects in Castlecomer and Kilkenny city last week, which is always a positive day. It is so uplifting to hand keys over to families and new tenants for very high-quality, A2-rated, highly efficient and well-designed homes. That is what we are attempting to achieve, and will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In terms of the social housing pipeline for Carlow, to respond to the Deputy's question, the construction status report for the first quarter of 2021 showed 13 projects, to deliver 229 social homes, were either at design or planning stage or on-site in Carlow. Details of these projects are available on the construction status report. In addition, there has been some impact from Covid-19...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Housing Provision (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: With regard to the community centre hub at Tullow Road in Carlow town, the Deputy made the valid point that the community hub could serve over 2,000 houses on the Tullow Road. It is a vital amenity for the community and will provide a lifeline for children and the community alike. The land is owned by Carlow County Council and, as such, the project is being led by Carlow County Council as...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wastewater Treatment (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am aware of the demand for wastewater infrastructure in towns and villages where there is no access to public infrastructure, particularly in County Galway, which the Deputy represents, and other areas of the country.  Our Department builds its strategic water policy and infrastructure delivery programmes around the national planning framework 2018-2040 and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wastewater Treatment (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I agree with the Deputy regarding the situation in Athenry. It is unacceptable in this day and age that raw sewage could be flowing from people's houses. Our Department will certainly give consideration to that with Irish Water specifically. It is fair to say that Project Ireland 2040 supports the growth of small towns and villages with regard to water services infrastructure. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Wastewater Treatment (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: We expect the report the Minister has commissioned in respect of requirements for smaller villages and settlements that do not have access to public water and wastewater infrastructure to be completed in the coming weeks. It will be a help to answer the question posed by the Deputy. I appreciate that the preparation of the report includes a broad range of research and consultation with a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Derelict Sites (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The 2018 Indecon Report on the Taxation of Vacant Residential Property recommended that a major programme of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) should be activated by Local Authorities to purchase vacant properties, even when these dwellings are not suitable for social housing. Housing for All: A new Housing Plan for Ireland provides for such a programme of CPO acquisitions, supported by a...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Wastewater Treatment (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As with my reply to Deputy Canney, both Minister O’Brien and I are aware of the demand for waste water infrastructure in towns and villages where there is no access to public infrastructure in County Clare, and indeed in other areas around the country. In fact, I understand that on 27 August last, Minister O’Brien visited the village of Broadford in Clare and spoke to residents...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Reports (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I established the working group referred to by the Deputy, under independent chairman Dr. Munoo Prasad, to examine important issues which had been identified during the Review of the use of Peat in the Horticultural Industry. The working group is comprised of representatives of the relevant Government Departments, State Bodies and Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and sectors...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Biodiversity Plan (28 Sep 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: COP15 will be convened in two parts. The first part takes place in virtual format from 11 to 15 October 2021. The second part will reconvene in Kunming from 25 April to 8 May 2022. On 12 and 13 October, I will participate in the High Level Segment of part 1. Over the past year, I have taken part in several international initiatives addressing the biodiversity crisis, including the One Planet...