Results 4,681-4,700 of 4,789 for speaker:Malcolm Noonan

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wind Energy Generation (19 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I chaired the interagency group in the wake of the Drumkeeran landslide. We have met on a number of occasions. We have an excellent report, which I have read. It has some very good recommendations that we can learn from. There is no doubt that weather-related events seem to have had an impact, in particular a very dry spring followed by heavy rain falls in respect of Drumkeeran. As I...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Inland Waterways (19 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: There has been extensive engagement in recent weeks at a very senior level between my Department and officials in the Department of the Taoiseach in this matter.  The Deputy will recall that in July 2007, the North South Ministerial Council agreed to a proposal to restore a 13km section of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones. This project is important for the border region...

Seanad: Seanad Bill 2020: Second Stage (18 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: Senator Flynn has summed up, in essence, what we are trying to achieve. I take on board all the comments. It is also important to state that during my attendance in the Seanad in recent weeks, I have been deeply impressed with the level of debate. I thank Senators McDowell, Higgins and Craughwell for bringing forward this Bill. I also thank the members of the Seanad reform implementation...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (17 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Deputy Matthews for making those very important points about Irish Water and the capital investment programme required. It will take a nationwide approach to prioritising planning and investment. The company has developed a long-term investment perspective in order to address the deficiencies in public water and waste water systems. The company is closely regulated by both the EPA...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (17 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I reiterate that the advice of the council's executive to council members was that an exhaustive process was undertaken in recent years and the proposed delivery model, which was agreed through Dublin City Council, was considered the most effective way to deliver the site both in terms of mixed tenure and from a financial perspective. Notwithstanding this, I note the decision of the council,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Wastewater Treatment (17 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Deputy for bringing this important issue to the attention of the House. I welcome the comprehensive report from the EPA showing that, while many serious challenges remain, Irish Water is continuing to make progress and is improving the performance of our waste water systems. The Deputy will appreciate that, since 2014, Irish Water has taken on the full statutory...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Provision (17 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank both Deputy Ó Broin and Deputy Mitchell for raising this issue and for putting forward constructive proposals regarding it. As we are all aware, last night Dublin city councillors voted by 48 votes to 14 not to transfer lands at Oscar Traynor Road as part of a development agreement to deliver 853 homes on the site. That was a democratic decision of the local authority members....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Sporting Rights (17 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: It is not possible to be definitive about future public health developments at this time.  There are no current plans to extend the hunting season for pheasants.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Regeneration Projects (17 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: The Collaborative Town Centre Health Check is an initiative 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 directly to the...

Seanad: Political Donations: Motion (11 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senators who tabled this motion for my daily visit to the Seanad. Before I get to the substantive issue of the motion, I wish to refer to the robust debate we have had. It must be that way sometimes, but I am always impressed by the level of debate in this House. It is important to point out that, in an era of political online campaigning where politics are increasingly fought...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (11 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: 222. To ask the Minister for Health if reimbursement of Covid-19-related costs will be forthcoming to disability service providers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35657/20]

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Restrictions (10 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senator O'Reilly for raising this matter. I recall the virtual platform we shared with representatives from our sister city of Formigine in Italy. It was a very enjoyable experience. The matter raised by the Senator must be considered in the context of Ireland's approach to dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and in particular, the level 5 restrictions currently in place. The...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Covid-19 Restrictions (10 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I take on board the points made by the Senator. I agree with him that many people have, throughout this year, had a really terrible experience and had life experiences robbed from them. Family events and family occasions have all been denied to people. Our memories of this year will be very painful ones collectively for the nation and globally and it is important to acknowledge that. We...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: Yes, if that is okay. I have an important vote in the other House.

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I am pleased to have an opportunity to take part in this Second Stage debate. It has been a very informed and wide-ranging debate so far. I thank Senators Byrne, Casey and Cassells for introducing the Bill, which enables us to debate and consider the relevant issues around extending the franchise of the universities panel of Seanad Éireann to all citizens of Ireland who are over the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (5 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank Senators Garvey and Byrne for raising this important issue and doing it so well and speaking so eloquently on behalf of the communities they represent. I am very familiar with some of the places listed, as someone from as a neighbouring county in a beautiful part of the country. From the programme for Government point of view, it is vitally important that this is a core element of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Water Services (5 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: That is a very constructive proposal. We are certainly more than happy to have a wider debate on this issue. It would be very useful. What I have outlined this morning are the overarching objectives of Irish Water and the Government as regards front-loading funding.It might be useful to go into more detail about specific programmes and plans for smaller towns and villages, and as Senator...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flood Relief Schemes (5 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. It concerns a part of the country that I am familiar with, having holidayed there again this year. My family and I love that part of Ireland and once the restrictions were lifted, we were lucky enough to get to that beautiful part of county Cork. I want to offer our sympathies to all of the families and businesses that were affected by the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Flood Relief Schemes (5 Nov 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I take on board the concerns of the Deputy and will take the points he raised back to the Department and my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, who has responsibility for local government. It is important that the Government is securing a package for local government that specifically relates to Covid and the non-rates element. We are attempting to ensure that local...

Seanad: Electoral (Civil Society Freedom)(Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage (22 Oct 2020)

Malcolm Noonan: I am pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the Second Stage debate on the Electoral (Civil Society Freedom) (Amendment) Bill 2019. I thank Senator Ruane for bringing the Bill forward which enables us to debate and consider the relevant issues around the definition of "political purposes" as set out in electoral law. I would also like to commend the Civil Engagement Group on its...