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

Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (25 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Her points on human health, business and the development of Arklow are well-raised. It also involves an area of mutual interest to me and the Deputy, the area of nature, biodiversity and the environment. There is no doubt that this project must be expedited. Since January 2014, Irish Water has had statutory responsibility for all aspects of water...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (25 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, provides detail on arrangements regarding turf cutting on each of the 75 raised bog natural heritage areas. The review concludes that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network which entails: 1....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Heritage Sites (24 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The intrinsic heritage value of the Graving Docks on City Block 19 is recognised by my Department and Waterways Ireland and the conservation of waterway heritage assets has been identified within the Dublin Docklands Strategic Development Zone (SDZ), which forms part of the Dublin City Development Plan. Any development of City Block 19 will have the protections outlined in the SDZ and an...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Invasive Plant Species (24 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species. In law, control of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is a matter for landowners. While my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (24 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Invasion of sand dunes by Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) is of ecological concern and a request for proposals to investigate the national extent and future management options for Hippophae rhamnoides in sand dunes is being prepared by my Department. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is responsible for the implementation of the Wildlife Acts and the European...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Coastal Erosion (24 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The sand dunes at Barley Cove and Inchydoney, County Cork are not in the ownership of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Any works to be done on these properties would be the responsibility of the landowners. The Barley Cove dunes are within the boundary of the Barley Cove to Ballyrisode Point Special Area of Conservation and the Eastern part of the Inchydoney dunes...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Biodiversity Plan (24 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The current National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) runs from 2017 to 2021 and captures the objectives, targets and actions for biodiversity to be undertaken by a wide range of government, civil society and private sectors to achieve Ireland's Vision for Biodiversity. That Plan contains 119 actions under a framework of seven strategic objectives. These encompass mainstreaming...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Natural Heritage Areas (24 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: There are 632 proposed natural heritage areas including the Curragh (Kildare). While a review of these sites is foreseen, the current focus of my Department is on fulfilling Ireland’s obligations under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and the designation of Natura 2000 sites i.e. special areas of conservation and special protection areas. Although proposed natural heritage area...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (24 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Arising from the recommendation in the Report on the Review of the use of Peat Moss in the Horticultural Industry, I decided to establish a working group under an independent chairperson to examine the issues which had been identified during the review. Invitations to nominate representatives to the working group have been issued to relevant Government Departments and State Agencies,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Special Areas of Conservation (24 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Regulation 5 of the European Union Habitats (Rockabill to Dalkey Island Special Area of Conservation 003000) Regulations 2019 provides that certain specified activities may not take place within the special area of conservation, without the prior written consent of the Minister or of another public authority, where applicable. These activities are those which have the potential to cause...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Bord Pleanála (19 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this important issue, which is also close to my heart, and for giving me the opportunity to update the Seanad on progress in the roll-out of the Plean-IT project upgrading the IT system operated by An Bord Pleanála and the Local Government Management Agency's e-planning project. The operation of an efficient, up-to-date and fit-for-purpose planning...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: An Bord Pleanála (19 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Senator has made useful suggestions. I will take on board the useful note that he provided to me. We know our city and county development plans are now aligned and moving in the same trajectory. I attended an open session on Kilkenny County Council's heritage plan, which was really fantastic. Members of the public have been drawn into an online portal, consult.kilkenny.ie, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Monuments (18 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: Works on the conservation, protection and restoration of the national monument buildings at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street started in late 2015 with the objective of having the 1916 Commemorative Centre at least partially open to the public in time for the centenary of the Rising. Total expenditure under the contract amounted to €4.48 million, inclusive of VAT, project management,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme (18 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 130 together. The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme was established in 2011 for turf cutters affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation and was extended in 2014 to include those affected from raised bog natural heritage areas. It is comprised of a payment of €1,500 per annum,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Horticulture Sector (18 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: In recent days, I have appointed Dr. Munoo Prasad as chairperson to the working group to examine the issues identified during the review of the use of peat moss in the horticultural industry. Dr. Prasad is an independent consultant and researcher. He has vast experience from working in the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Bord na Móna. The role of the chairperson will be to...

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: Child and Family Agency (18 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: 209. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the funding challenges facing an organisation (details supplied) which have put its counselling service in extreme jeopardy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9114/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Hen Harriers (17 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan (HHTRP) is nearing completion and is currently being refined and updated as necessary by my Department in consultation with other Government Departments. This has required a considerable review of background information. I intend to have the draft HHTRP ready for consultation as that review is completed, expected within two months. The draft...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Surveys (17 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: The Freshwater Pearl Mussel is critically endangered in Ireland and the EU. It is very sensitive to water quality and to land use management that may impact on the rivers in which it lives, including the Munster Blackwater. The Munster Blackwater is a deep, dark and fast-flowing river, and is difficult to survey for these reasons. Data on the status of the Mussel in the Blackwater,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Famine Artefacts (17 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: I am advised that a granite pillar was brought to the attention of my Department’s National Monuments Service as possible evidence of the existence of a famine graveyard at the location in question. However, I understand that the Department’s view is that the origins and associations of the pillar are unlikely to relate to burials. While there is insufficient evidence at...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Built Heritage Investment Scheme (17 Feb 2021)

Malcolm Noonan: My Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF). The BHIS and HSF for 2021 were launched on 12 November 2020 with a combined allocation of €6m,...