Results 4,421-4,440 of 4,726 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Gorse Burning (11 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I visited the Wicklow Mountains National Park this week and I met Wesley Atkinson and Hugh McAlinden, two members of the National Parks and Wildlife Service team the Deputy knows. I witnessed at first hand very significant damage to the habitat there. It was quite disturbing to see it close up. I thank our team in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the fire service, An Garda...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (11 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I have established a working group under an independent chairman, Dr. Munoo Prasad, to examine the issues which had been identified during the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry. It is comprised of representatives of the relevant Government Departments, State Bodies, Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations and of various sectors within the horticultural...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Agriculture Schemes (10 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department recognises the positive role that farming can play in addressing biodiversity loss. The NPWS Farm Plan Scheme operates nationally, targeting various habitats and species by working proactively with farmers to go above and beyond their statutory requirements. While there is no specific ‘Shannon Callows Farm Plan Scheme’, a number of farmers in the Shannon...

Seanad: Private Rental Sector: Motion (8 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh, agus guím Lá Idirnáisiúnta na mBan sona do cách. Cosúil leis an Seanadóir Craughwell, níl agam ach beagán Gaeilge ach táim ag déanamh iarrachta gach lá. I want to start by thanking Senators Warfield, Boylan, Gavan and Ó Donnghaile for tabling this motion. The exchange in the last...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Turf Cutting (4 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am advised that my Department is liaising with the Department of the Taoiseach in relation to the activity referred to in the Deputy's Question. Any undertaking of the activity would be subject to public health COVID-19 pandemic guidelines and any health and safety protocols issued by the relevant associations, as well as the Birds and Habitats Directives.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hedge Cutting (4 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The dates for the cutting of hedges are set down in primary legislation. Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts Act prohibits the cutting of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August. I do not have the discretion to extend this period into March. There is provision in the legislation for certain exemptions in respect of cutting vegetation in the ordinary course of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (4 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 100 together. My role with regard to the protection and management of our archaeological and architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, including the Planning Acts and the National Monuments Acts, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners. As Minister, I am the owner or guardian under the...

Housing Shared Equity Loan Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (3 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. We need to debate housing policies vigorously to ensure they are fit for purpose. There is so much at stake when we are faced with our housing crisis. It is incumbent on every party to put forward solid ideas that will deliver on the ground. Our national housing crisis demands a major response and this Government has stepped up to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (3 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 102. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are any plans in place to upgrade the Waterford to Dublin line by providing a second track on the section where currently only one track exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11013/21]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Interest Rates (3 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 179. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that moneys held in solicitor client accounts will shortly be liable for the imposition of negative interest rates by the two largest banks and, given that these funds are often already borrowed from the banks, will be subject to double interest charging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10963/21]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Lending (3 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 208. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties for those buying homes in respect of mortgage approvals lasting for only six months in view of current restrictions on the building industry causing delays in home completions (details supplied); if such mortgage holders will have to reapply for their mortgages through no fault of their own; and if he...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hedge Cutting (3 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The dates for the cutting of hedges are set down in primary legislation. Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts Act prohibits the cutting of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August. I do not have the discretion to extend this period into March. There is provision in the legislation for certain exemptions in respect of cutting vegetation in the ordinary course of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (3 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: NPWS lands include areas designated as special protection areas or special areas of conservation under the EU nature directives. Such protected areas are collectively referred to as ‘European sites’. In 2010, the European Communities (Control of Recreational Activities) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 293 of 2010) were implemented to regulate certain recreational activities...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Archaeological Sites (3 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 76 of 4 February 2021. My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service monitors designated sites through its own staffing resources and, in conjunction with other public authorities as appropriate, investigates activity within these sites in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife Acts, the European Communities...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: World Heritage Sites (3 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Ireland’s Tentative List of World Heritage sites includes those properties that are considered to be suitable for progression to World Heritage status. The current Tentative List is now under review in keeping with UNESCO advice to do so every ten years. In its capacity as Focal Point for the World Heritage Convention, my Department has invited local authorities to submit applications...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (3 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: As set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 123 of 25 February last, the purpose of the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 is to give legislative effect to the outcome of the 2014 Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network. The Bill was passed by the Dáil on 13 December 2018. The Bill was passed by the Seanad on 6 November 2019. 16 amendments to the Bill were made in the...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Vaccination Programme (3 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 376. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces currently deployed on peacekeeping duties to areas of conflict all over the world will be vaccinated against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10992/21]

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Foster Care (3 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 593. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some foster carers are excluded from applying for Tusla home improvement grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11545/21]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Mar 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 788. To ask the Minister for Health the reason dentists were not included in the list of those personnel who can administer Covid-19 vaccinations. [11279/21]

Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (25 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I will revert to the Deputy with a written response on the two specific items she raises. It may well be the case that additional costs are involved at this stage, given the delays to the project but I will provide a written response on that. It is important to note that we will enter into a new cycle of river basin management plans and projects similar to this one must be expedited to...