Results 4,161-4,180 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: On behalf of the Minister for Justice, I again thank both Deputies for raising this matter. It is vitally important and they have brought forward very serious crime issues in the area that we need to tackle. I assure them that community safety is a priority for the Government and An Garda Síochána, as evidenced by the Government's unprecedented Garda provision for 2021. In tandem...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputies Ó Cuív, O'Reilly and Connolly for raising this important issue and giving me an opportunity to address it on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. Following public health guidance, Government policy is to have a gradual reopening of the hospitality sector, beginning with outdoor hospitality, before a decision is taken on resuming indoor service in a few weeks....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: On behalf of the Minister for Justice, I thank the Deputies for raising this important issue. The Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of Garda business, including the distribution of members of the Garda throughout the State. The Minister for Justice has no role in these independent functions. The determination of the need for the development of a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí. I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the position regarding rail freight into Dublin Port on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton. The Minister and the Minister of State strongly believe in the potential of rail freight and think it can play a bigger role in freight transport generally on...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Rail Network (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, the Department worked with the ports and shipping companies to ensure sufficient capacity and connectivity to facilitate the movement of goods in and out of Ireland. Significant Government investment has gone into the customs, agriculture and immigration inspection facilities necessary since 1 January 2021. There has been a remarkable response...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Species Policy (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Article 13 of the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation (1143/2014) refers to the obligation of Member States to establish action plans on the pathways of invasive alien species of Union concern and to communicate these plans to the European Commission. Work is underway in my Department on three priority pathway action plans. Two of these plans - relating to angling and to boat users -...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Chairman and members for their invitation to appear before them again this afternoon. I also thank the committee for the detailed consideration it has given the general scheme of the electoral reform Bill. The Chairman outlined some of the groups and organisations that have appeared before the committee. I must say, it has been very impressive and I have followed the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Chairman. I will try to get through these quickly and the officials might come in on any specific items. On Deputy McAuliffe's point around education and participation, we absolutely see this as a critical and evolving role. We are clear that the commission, once established later this year, will build its functions and role over time. That is connected to the Vote and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Higgins for her positive comments and for giving that very good outline of her own experience. The Deputy is absolutely correct that when we look at democracies around the world, democracy is fragile and protecting it is precious to us all. As I outlined in the previous response around the short window of opportunity and the regulation of online political advertising in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: On Deputy O'Donoghue's questions, cybersecurity is really for another Department. The HSE cyberattack has sharpened all our minds to really strengthen our cybersecurity in the State. That is an absolute. I take on board Deputy O'Donoghue's point about Independents. Deputy McAuliffe referred to the radio content and radio advertising. There is a broader issue for discussion here on the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for his comments. I might ask Mr. Ryan to come in on the Deputy's final point. I did meet with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and other organisations on these points and we want to address them through the commission. I take on board the point made by the Chairman. I met the group of students to which he referred and the research they carried out was fantastic....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I will defer to Ms Woods on the specific issues around the register. I will not get into a political comment with regard to engagement from political parties but, from our perspective, it is vital that all political parties and representatives engage in this process. It is a vital process which will transform our electoral system and lead to greater transparency, accountability and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I look forward to seeing Deputy Gould on TikTok. Certainly, however, he highlighted the fact the online space is changing. From our communications as politicians, online platforms are vitally important to reach out to all ages, be it TikTok or Instagram. They are all valid and useful platforms to send out positive messaging. I look forward to following Deputy Gould's account on Instagram....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I might ask Ms Woods and Mr. Ryan to come in on some of the questions, particularly the last one on projected timelines. Again, as a precursor, we await the committee’s report to examine the other submissions around the campaigning, particularly outside of electoral periods. The regulation of online political advertising during an election set out to do a specific piece of work....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I might ask Ms Woods to come in on that specific issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I want to come back to a previous point the Senator raised in her last contribution on the online content. The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill will see the establishment of a media commission as well. Again, I speak of what will be complementary processes to provide for a more robust and safer online platform. Our legislative measure regarding the regulation of online political...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I will not comment any further than to say that the commission will be tasked with looking at the best mechanism for managing the electoral register as well. I will not comment specifically on that question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: With regard to the budget, the projected budget is €2.25 million. It is €2.7 million in the first year and a subsequent annual cost of €1.45 million to €1.7 million. I presume that as it expands its role that case will be made to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform each year, to look at an expanding research, advocacy or, as we have been discussing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: General Scheme of the Electoral Reform Bill: Discussion (Resumed) (22 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Again, Chair, we cannot stress enough that we are extremely grateful for the diligence of the committee in giving this such great consideration. We are mindful of the huge workload of this committee, particularly in relation to housing. We are grateful that it has given this such time and consideration and has brought in such a disparate range of groups and experts to strengthen it and to...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Biodiversity Plan (17 Jun 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Biodiversity Data Centre is operated on contract and managed under the aegis of the Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department. Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries...